Tony Nicklinson’s family offer to support second right-to-die case

By RYAN HOOPER
Published on 21/09/2012 02:59

The family of locked-in syndrome campaigner Tony Nicklinson say “he would have been completely behind” a second man’s legal case to be allowed to die.

Mr Nicklinson died last month, days after his assisted dying campaign had been turned down by the High Court, where judges also dismissed another, unidentified, man’s legal fight to end his life.

Refusing the men a judicial review, they agreed that the current law did not breach human rights and it was for parliament, not the courts, to decide whether it should be changed.

Mr Nicklinson, who was 47 when he died after refusing food in the days following the landmark case, had become paralysed after a stroke in 2005.

His family yesterday said they would back “Martin”, who is fighting for assistance to end his life, having suffered a massive stroke four years ago.

Despite similarities in their cases, the two families have never met or spoken. Yet Mr Nicklinson’s eldest daughter, Lauren, said her father would have been completely in support of Martin.

She said yesterday: “We are pleased that they are continuing with their campaign. We completely understand what Martin and his family are going through right now.

“There were some differences between my dad’s case and Martin’s, but they were fighting for similar causes. I know my dad would have been completely behind Martin and his family, and we are too.

“Although we have never met – we don’t even know where Martin lives – we would be pleased to offer our support to the case. What my dad’s and Martin’s campaigns have done is highlight the need for a debate on right to die.

“There isn’t a day goes past now, it seems, without there being some sort of story in the media about it, and I think that is a good thing.”

Martin’s wife said lawyers are expected to hear in the next few weeks whether they are allowed a full hearing at the Court of ­Appeal.

She said: “I don’t want him to die but I’ve got to respect his wishes.”