MacDonald claims most Scots support assisted suicide law

MARGO MacDONALD today claimed a majority of Scots would back a change in the law so people with terminal illnesses could choose to die.

She said she had received a "hugely positive" response to her television documentary last week on assisted suicide.

And she said she was convinced most people did not believe it should be a crime to carry out an "act of mercy" at the request of someone who wanted to end their life.

The Independent Lothians MSP, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease, has said she wants the reassurance of knowing she can end her own life if she decides the condition has become intolerable.

In the documentary, she declared her support for legalising not only assisted suicide but also euthanasia, where doctors would be allowed to help patients die.

A Bill on the right to die was introduced by Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis during the last session of the Scottish Parliament, but it failed to secure enough backing.

Ms MacDonald said if Mr Purvis was not planning to make a fresh attempt with his proposed legislation she would consider introducing her own Bill.

She said whether it received majority support from MSPs would depend on the details of what it proposed. But she said the majority of letters and e-mails she had received since going public on the issue backed her comments.

She said: "Every indication I have is there is majority support for the principle.

"Jeremy Purvis introduced a Bill in the last parliament and I don't know whether he intends to introduce another one. If he does and I agree with it, I have the choice either of total support or support with amendments.

"If he is going a different way, I would consider bringing in a Bill.

"I am absolutely convinced of the level of support for the principle among the general public.

"The parliament might run behind the development of public opinion, which is not unusual in cases where individual morality meets public policy."

She said she wanted a full discussion on the issue. "There is a great deal still to be debated.

"In the Netherlands, they have legalised physician-assisted dying. Should that be extended to family members or friends?

"There are a lot of issues I'm not sure of because I haven't gone into them. People have to think about it."

Ms MacDonald acknowledged there would be strong opposition to the move from certain quarters, including the Catholic Church.

She interviewed Cardinal Keith O'Brien in her film.

"Keith O'Brien outlined the teaching of the church," she said. "I think his points are utterly valid and people will make up their own minds, but people who don't subscribe to this teaching must also be allowed to exercise their morality and conscience.

"I had the good fortune to go to Holland and talk to people for this film. I had the privilege of seeing what the reality was.

"The programme was a contribution to the debate. The debate is just starting. For some people it will not be concluded in time to allow them to die at the time of their choice. But we have to start somewhere."