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Right-to-die law to be clarified Right-to-die law to be clarified
(about 3 hours later)
Prosecutors will start work later to clarify the law on assisted suicide after a landmark court victory by a multiple sclerosis sufferer. Campaigner Debbie Purdy has called for an "open debate" on assisted suicide laws after her landmark court victory.
Law Lords backed a call by Debbie Purdy, 46 and from Bradford, for formal advice on the legal position of those who help a loved one commit suicide. Prosecutors are to clarify the law after Law Lords backed Ms Purdy's call for formal advice on the legal position of those who help a loved one to die.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer said interim policy guidance would be issued by September. The multiple sclerosis sufferer, 46, from Bradford, wants her husband to be able to help without him fearing arrest but accepts safeguards must exist.
Critics say the ruling could pressure people into ending their lives early.Critics say the ruling could pressure people into ending their lives early.
Public consultation Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer is to consult the public before issuing interim policy guidance in September, followed by permanent policy next spring.
Ms Purdy wanted to know if her husband, Omar Puente, would be prosecuted if he helped her to die at assisted suicide centre Dignitas in Switzerland. More than 100 UK citizens have so far ended their lives through the Switzerland-based suicide organisation Dignitas.
Thursday's ruling does not give him immunity from prosecution, but it does mean that the DPP must now make clear the factors that would be taken into account when deciding whether to take action against relatives in such cases.
The BBC's John Andrew said evidence of a clear financial advantage or improper pressure, for instance, would count against them, while proof of compassionate support would weigh in their favour.
We are extremely concerned about the manner in which this will leave the vulnerable Phyllis Bowman, Right to Life Q&A Assisted suicide ruling Legal analysis: Joshua RozenburgWe are extremely concerned about the manner in which this will leave the vulnerable Phyllis Bowman, Right to Life Q&A Assisted suicide ruling Legal analysis: Joshua Rozenburg
Mr Starmer said he would put the controversial issue out to public consultation before publishing permanent policy next spring. No-one has been prosecuted for helping them - despite the possibility of up to 14 years in jail - but doubt has lingered because some relatives were questioned by police.
More than 100 UK citizens have so far ended their lives at Dignitas. Thursday's ruling does not give Ms Purdy's husband Omar Puente, immunity from prosecution.
No-one who has accompanied them has ever been prosecuted, although the law says they could potentially face 14 years in prison. But it means the DPP must now make clear the factors that would be taken into account when deciding whether to take action against relatives in such cases.
Ms Purdy said the ruling "gives me my life back". She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the ruling would force the DPP to state the reasons why people would or would not face prosecution
"This decision means that I can make an informed choice, with Omar, about whether he travels abroad with me to end my life because we will know exactly where we stand," she said. Ms Purdy said there must be open discussions to ensure the law distinguishes between malicious and compassionate acts, ensuring suitable safeguards are in place.
'Huge step' She said: "We can't allow de facto changes in the law. It's got to be the result of proper open discussion.
The group Dignity in Dying, which backed her case, said it was a huge step forward. "The DPP has got the possibility of making sure that financial gain is definitely not something which should be allowed for assistance."
"The ruling is significant because it distinguishes between maliciously encouraging someone to commit suicide and compassionately supporting someone's decision to die," chief executive Sarah Wootton said. 'No compulsion'
But disability rights group expressed their opposition to the Law Lords' decision. But she added: "I don't think there's going to be a rush to get 'Auntie May' to the knacker's yard because they want to inherit her house," she said.
There is far more to living with MS than planning how to die Simon Gillespie, MS Society Ms Purdy said the ruling would not mean people were compelled to take their own lives but they would have choice.
She pointed to evidence from other countries which allow doctors to prescribe fatal doses of medication for terminally ill patients who want to die.
In the US state of Oregon, she said, of 97 people prescribed the dose, 50 died natural deaths.
However, Baroness Finlay, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dying Well, said there had been cases in Oregon of cancer patients being offered funding for suicide but not for treatment.
"I would hate anyone to think that suicide is the answer to a problem," she said, adding that patients should be able to make informed choices about care rather than feeling "they would be better off dead".
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However, she said clarifying the law would be helpful to patients and families alike.
Several groups have expressed their opposition to the Law Lords' decision.
David Morris, of Independent Living Alternatives, said: "If you look at places where assisted suicide has been legalised, you will find that the culture and value of the lives of disabled people is lessened."
Phyllis Bowman, executive officer of Right To Life, said: "Much as we sympathise with Ms Purdy, we are extremely concerned about the manner in which this will leave the vulnerable - that is the disabled, the sick, and the aged."Phyllis Bowman, executive officer of Right To Life, said: "Much as we sympathise with Ms Purdy, we are extremely concerned about the manner in which this will leave the vulnerable - that is the disabled, the sick, and the aged."
She said the group would be consulting its lawyers about what action it could take.She said the group would be consulting its lawyers about what action it could take.
Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the MS Society, said: "Debbie Purdy's victory has pushed MS into the spotlight, but there is far more to living with MS - even in its more severe forms - than planning how to die."Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the MS Society, said: "Debbie Purdy's victory has pushed MS into the spotlight, but there is far more to living with MS - even in its more severe forms - than planning how to die."
Ms Purdy was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in March 1995. She can no longer walk and is gradually losing strength in her upper body.Ms Purdy was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in March 1995. She can no longer walk and is gradually losing strength in her upper body.
She had previously lost challenges in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The Lords ruling was her last chance of success in the UK legal system.She had previously lost challenges in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The Lords ruling was her last chance of success in the UK legal system.