Assisted dying plans face fresh hurdle after group of MPs tries to scupper vote

Plans to legalise assisted dying face a fresh hurdle after a group of MPs tried to scupper an imminent vote.

MPs are due to vote on the highly sensitive issue on Friday. But seven MPs from across parties on Tuesday evening supported a bid to halt the plans going through the Commons.

They supported an amendment to “decline” the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The text of the amendment raises concerns about the plans being introduced through a Private Members’ Bill (PMB), which it says “do not allow for sufficient debate on and scrutiny of a Bill on a matter of this importance”. It also calls for an "independent assessment" of the provision of palliative care.

Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson, who is part of the group, said the way proposed legislation on assisted dying is set to go through Parliament is "utterly inadequate". "I'm concerned about the process or lack thereof around such a monumental change in legislation,” she said. The demand is also backed by Labour MPs Anna Dixon, Polly Billington, Josh Fenton-Glynn and Uma Kumaran, as well as Conservatives Dr Ben Spencer and John Lamont.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the plans, said the selection of amendments is “entirely a matter for the Speaker”. But she added: “It’s clear that the amendment in question is intended to prevent this vital issue being debated at all.

“I believe Parliament would be failing in its duty if it did not take this opportunity to address a reform that is long overdue and has overwhelming public support. As the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, has said, my private members’ bill will have at least as much time for debate and scrutiny as any other piece of legislation.”

Sir David Natzler, former House of Commons clerk, also wrote to Ms Leadbeater to say PMBs "go through the same legislative scrutiny procedures as Government Bills". The MPs who have tabled the amendment suggested that if it is selected, then it will be voted on during Friday's session, ahead of the vote on Ms Leadbeater’s bill. If it is backed by a majority of MPs, then it could prevent the Bill from moving to a vote, they say.

Elsewhere concerns were raised by a former Lord Chief Justice who said that "no-one has grappled with the detail" of the impact that assisted dying legislation could have on the court system. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, who held the role in England and Wales between 2013 and 2017, said "the process and the impact on the court system is really something about which there should be information before we decide in principle to proceed" with the plans.

The bill will give terminally ill people with less than six months to live the power to end their lives if they choose to. Each case will need to be signed off by two doctors and a judge.

"It seems to me that the one really difficult question that hasn't been addressed in this is how is the judge to proceed, as it cannot possibly be a rubber-stamping exercise,” Lord Thomas told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. "There has to be a process, by which the evidence is put before the judge, and the judge will need help - will need either the official solicitor or some other body that can bring the evidence before him."

He added: "As far as I can see, no-one has grappled with the detail. And of course, as it's an integral part of the Bill, you can't say, 'well, look, this is to be sorted out later'. It seems to me it needs to be grappled with now."

MPs will have their say on assisted dying in a free vote on Friday, meaning they will not be told how to vote by their party. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood are among Cabinet ministers to have spoken out against the bill. Keir Starmer has not said how he will vote as he does not want to “pressure” MPs. The PM voted in favour of changing the law when MPs last voted on the issue in 2015.