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MS patient loses court battle Woman loses assisted suicide case
(40 minutes later)
A woman with multiple sclerosis has lost her Appeal Court case to clarify the law on assisted suicide.A woman with multiple sclerosis has lost her Appeal Court case to clarify the law on assisted suicide.
Debbie Purdy, 45, from Bradford, is considering going to a Swiss clinic to end her life, but fears her husband may be charged on his return to the UK.Debbie Purdy, 45, from Bradford, is considering going to a Swiss clinic to end her life, but fears her husband may be charged on his return to the UK.
She wanted clarification of where her husband, Omar Puente would stand legally if he helped her in any way.She wanted clarification of where her husband, Omar Puente would stand legally if he helped her in any way.
Ms Purdy, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1995 and can no longer walk.Ms Purdy, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1995 and can no longer walk.
In England and Wales, aiding or abetting a suicide is a crime punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.In England and Wales, aiding or abetting a suicide is a crime punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
There have so far been no prosecutions of relatives of 101 UK citizens who have gone to the Dignitas clinic.There have so far been no prosecutions of relatives of 101 UK citizens who have gone to the Dignitas clinic.
High Court judges ruled in October that a code of practice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) along with the general safeguards of administrative law were adequate and satisfied human rights laws.High Court judges ruled in October that a code of practice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) along with the general safeguards of administrative law were adequate and satisfied human rights laws.
Ms Purdy said she was "disappointed and shocked" at their decision.Ms Purdy said she was "disappointed and shocked" at their decision.
The Appeal Court judges had been asked to rule if further official guidance was necessary.The Appeal Court judges had been asked to rule if further official guidance was necessary.
But they said: "Notwithstanding our sympathy for the dreadful predicament in which Mrs Purdy and Mr Puente find themselves, this appeal must be dismissed."But they said: "Notwithstanding our sympathy for the dreadful predicament in which Mrs Purdy and Mr Puente find themselves, this appeal must be dismissed."
And they said the DPP could not adopt a "case-specific policy in the kind of certain terms sought by Ms Purdy".
ProsecutionProsecution
Ms Purdy has always said she would still consider travelling to Switzerland to take a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by Dignitas doctors.Ms Purdy has always said she would still consider travelling to Switzerland to take a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by Dignitas doctors.
She wants her husband at her side, but wants to know if he could face prosecution on his return to Britain for helping her by buying train tickets, or by accompanying her abroad.She wants her husband at her side, but wants to know if he could face prosecution on his return to Britain for helping her by buying train tickets, or by accompanying her abroad.
As a result, she says she may have to make the trip earlier than she really wanted.As a result, she says she may have to make the trip earlier than she really wanted.
It is not the first time the issue has been raised in the courts.It is not the first time the issue has been raised in the courts.
In 2001 Diane Pretty, who had motor neurone disease, failed to get immunity from prosecution for her husband if he helped her to die in the UK.In 2001 Diane Pretty, who had motor neurone disease, failed to get immunity from prosecution for her husband if he helped her to die in the UK.
Several attempts to legalise suicide in Britain have also been rejected.Several attempts to legalise suicide in Britain have also been rejected.