Margo hails MP’s stance on suicide law

LOTHIANS MSP Margo MacDonald has welcomed a UK health minister’s branding of the law on assisted suicide as “ridiculous”.

Ms MacDonald, who supports giving terminally ill people the right to choose when to die, said the comment from Anna Soubry, parliamentary under secretary at the Department of Health, was a “step in the right direction”.

The backing comes after locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson died a week after he lost his legal bid to end his life with a doctor’s help.

Ms Soubry said: “It’s ridiculous and appalling that people have to go abroad to end their life instead of being able to end their life at home.”

Ms MacDonald said: “It is important [Ms Soubry] now gathers opinions and demonstrates there is public support for a change in the law.”