Doctor won't face charges after helping woman to die

Published on Monday 16 August 2010 17:18

A RETIRED Scottish doctor who was facing prosecution in an assisted suicide case has had the charges against her dropped.

Dr Libby Wilson, 84, a member of pro-euthanasia group Friends At The End, (FATE) was arrested by Surrey Police last September on suspicion of giving advice to multiple sclerosis sufferer Cari Loder, who took her own life using a helium cylinder and a hood.

Dr Wilson's telephone number was found among Ms Loder's possessions.

Ms Loder, an academic, died in Farncombe, Worcestershire, on 8 June last year.

Dr Wilson was the first person to be arrested since new guidelines were issued for England and Wales clarifying when people are likely to be prosecuted.

The CPS said two men also arrested in connection with Ms Loder's death would not be prosecuted.

Under current legislation they could have each faced 14 years in prison.

In a statement issued yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not be "in the public interest" to charge Dr Wilson.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "In this case, the woman was 83 years old and the assistance she provided was minimal, in that she gave some advice.

"Ms Loder had plainly intended to commit suicide, and there is no evidence that the advice given contributed significantly to the outcome. It has been concluded a prosecution of the woman is not required in the public interest."

The CPS said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute one of the men.

"In relation to the (other] man, there is sufficient evidence to prove that he assisted or encouraged Caroline Loder to commit suicide, but his help was of a practical nature, contributing only to the preparations that the deceased made.

"When considering the public interest, it is clear that he acted out of compassion and he understood Ms Loder's wish to die and respected it."

Last night Dr Wilson, speaking from her home in Glasgow, spoke of her relief at the CPS decision but said she was "unrepentant".

"The CPS would not have had a leg to stand on trying to prosecute me. What jury would have convicted me?

"But I know it's stressful to go to court and it would have been horrible being cross-examined."This has not put me off and I would not hesitate to provide information again if someone asked me.

"What really gets me is the enormous cost to the public purse when the police say they are strapped for cash."

Dr Wilson said that she was concerned at the lack of clarity still surrounding the position of those helping others to die.

She also expressed concern over the creation of a "two-tier" system of assisted dying, saying not everyone wishing to end their lives could afford to travel to the Swiss Dignitas clinic.

Last month, the director of public prosecutions decided not to prosecute former GP Dr Michael Irwin, 79, another FATE member, for helping financially and accompanying a cancer patient to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

The CPS said that decision was taken not because of lack of evidence but because it was not in the public interest.