Right-to-die campaigners ‘to fight on’

THE family of the late locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson and paralysed road accident victim Paul Lamb have vowed to carry on their right-to-die legal battle after suffering a defeat at the Court of Appeal.

Paul Lamb, left, and Jane Nicklinson, wife of Tony, outside the Court of Appeal. Picture: Getty

After three judges in London rejected their cases, Mr Nicklinson’s widow Jane said in a statement: “As a family, we are hugely disappointed with the judgment. We will carry on with the case for as long as we can so that others who find themselves in a position similar to Tony don’t have to suffer as he did.”

Former builder Mr Lamb, 57, from Leeds, who wants a doctor to help him die in a dignified way, was “absolutely gutted” by the decision. Mr Lamb, who had won the right to join the litigation to continue the battle started by Mr Nicklinson, said: “I was hoping for a humane and dignified end. This judgment does not give me that.”

The next move is to continue their battle at the Supreme Court, the UK’s highest court.

During the appeal hearing in May the judges heard argument that people who are too sick or disabled to end their “unbearable” lives without help are currently being condemned to “suffer in silence or make desperate attempts to kill themselves”.