McArthur responds to MPs backing Assisted Dying Bill in UK Parliament

Responding to the news that MPs have backed a bill legalising assisted dying in England and Wales, Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur MSP said:

"I am delighted that the House of Commons have voted to pass Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill at Third Reading - it's a milestone moment for choice and compassion at the end of life. MPs have listened to dying people, to bereaved families and the public – and have voted decisively for safe and compassionate law change.

"Last month, MSPs backed the principles of assisted dying in recognition that under the current law, terminally ill people can suffer despite the best care, take drastic action to end their own lives, or travel at huge cost to die in a foreign country. With this vote, MPs have sent a clear message that the worst outcome of all would be to allow the status quo to continue and that a better, safer and fairer law is possible.

"I'll be making this case to colleagues in the Scottish Parliament as my bill moves through its following stages. I look forward to working with them to ensure that in Scotland too we have an assisted dying law that gives dying people the choice they need and puts vital protections in place for all. Undoubtedly today's vote adds to the momentum behind this work.

"I'd also like to personally congratulate Kim Leadbeater and acknowledge not only the work that she has done to bring about this result today but also the compassion, care and respect with which she has led the debate."