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Right-to-die law to be clarified Call for debate on suicide laws
(about 6 hours later)
Campaigner Debbie Purdy has called for an "open debate" on assisted suicide laws after her landmark court victory.Campaigner Debbie Purdy has called for an "open debate" on assisted suicide laws after her landmark court victory.
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.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.
The multiple sclerosis sufferer, 46, from Bradford, wants her husband to be able to help without him fearing arrest but accepts safeguards must exist.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.
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. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer is to consult the public before issuing interim policy guidance in September.
More than 100 UK citizens have so far ended their lives through the Switzerland-based suicide organisation Dignitas.More than 100 UK citizens have so far ended their lives through the Switzerland-based suicide organisation Dignitas.
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
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.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.
Thursday's ruling does not give Ms Purdy's husband Omar Puente, immunity from prosecution.Thursday's ruling does not give Ms Purdy's husband Omar Puente, immunity from prosecution.
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.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.
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 She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there must be a debate to ensure the law distinguishes between malicious and compassionate acts, ensuring suitable safeguards are in place.
Ms Purdy said there must be open discussions to ensure the law distinguishes between malicious and compassionate acts, ensuring suitable safeguards are in place.
She said: "We can't allow de facto changes in the law. It's got to be the result of proper open discussion.She said: "We can't allow de facto changes in the law. It's got to be the result of proper open discussion.
"The DPP has got the possibility of making sure that financial gain is definitely not something which should be allowed for assistance.""The DPP has got the possibility of making sure that financial gain is definitely not something which should be allowed for assistance."
'No compulsion''No compulsion'
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.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.
Ms Purdy said the ruling would not mean people were compelled to take their own lives but they would have choice. Ms Purdy said the ruling would not mean people were compelled to take their own lives but they would have choice, pointing to evidence from countries where doctors can prescribe fatal doses of medication to terminally ill patients.
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.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.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"."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".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
However, she said clarifying the law would be helpful to patients and families alike.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. Lesley Close, who helped her brother John, 54, from Milton Keynes, agreed.
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." After helping him die in Switzerland, she wrote to police asking whether they would prosecute her because she wanted to apply for jobs.
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." "The answer was no, it wouldn't be in the public interest to prosecute," she said.
She said the group would be consulting its lawyers about what action it could take. "But I still didn't know what it meant, what I'd done that could be counted as a crime. It's been such a mess," she added.
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." Liberal Democrat peer Lord Goodhart said the law should go further so that people did not have to go "far away from their home and families" to take their own lives.
"It is going to be important to extend the law, not simply to make it a defence that you can go to Switzerland because that's where it's already legal."
However, Dr Andrew Ferguson, from the group Care Not Killing, said "a vocal minority" should not hold too much sway in changing a law "in a way that would affect profoundly the lives of far greater numbers of vulnerable people".
Debbie Purdy is concerned her husband could be prosecuted
David Morris, of Independent Living Alternatives, also has concerns.
"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," he said.
Phyllis Bowman, executive officer of Right To Life, added: "We are extremely concerned about the manner in which this [ruling] will leave the vulnerable - that is the disabled, the sick, and the aged."
Meanwhile, MS Society chief executive Simon Gillespie said: "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.