Hewitt leads calls to protect mercy-killing relatives

Published on Friday 20 March 2009 00:45

FORMER Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt will lead demands for a change in the law, to protect those who help terminally-ill relatives and friends travel abroad for an assisted suicide.

Ms Hewitt said today she had tabled an amendment, supported by MPs from all sides of the Commons, to the government's Coroners and Justice Bill to protect such individuals from prosecution.

Although it is designed to provoke debate and is not expected to be pushed to a vote, the move sparked condemnation from opponents of assisted suicide who warned it would lead to "an opening of the floodgates".

A number of high-profile cases have put the issue firmly in the spotlight and more than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for it to be debated.

Paralysed rugby player Daniel James, 23, committed suicide at a clinic run by Dignitas in September last year – leading the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges against his parents. Last month, multiple sclerosis sufferer Debby Purdy lost an Appeal Court bid to guarantee immunity from prosecution.