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Assisted suicide law 'clarified' Assisted suicide law 'clarified'
(11 minutes later)
New guidance has been issued to clarify the law on assisted suicide in England and Wales - but it offers no guarantees against prosecution.New guidance has been issued to clarify the law on assisted suicide in England and Wales - but it offers no guarantees against prosecution.
Instead the director of public prosecutions has spelled out the range of factors that will be taken into account when deciding on cases.Instead the director of public prosecutions has spelled out the range of factors that will be taken into account when deciding on cases.
These include whether there was a financial motive, and looking into how the decision to die was made.These include whether there was a financial motive, and looking into how the decision to die was made.
The guidance does not represent a change in the law.The guidance does not represent a change in the law.
Assisting suicide is still illegal and carries a jail term of up to 14 years.Assisting suicide is still illegal and carries a jail term of up to 14 years.
More than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die.More than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die.
There are no guarantees against prosecution Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions 'Why I want to help Debbie' Pillinger on the dying debateThere are no guarantees against prosecution Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions 'Why I want to help Debbie' Pillinger on the dying debate
Several of the cases have been looked into by police, but none has led to a prosecution because the authorities have the power to use their discretion.Several of the cases have been looked into by police, but none has led to a prosecution because the authorities have the power to use their discretion.
But earlier this year, Law Lords said Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Bradford, had the right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.But earlier this year, Law Lords said Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Bradford, had the right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.
Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, said all cases would still be investigated by the police.Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, said all cases would still be investigated by the police.
He said: "There are no guarantees against prosecution and it is my job to ensure that the most vulnerable people are protected while at the same time giving enough information to those people like Ms Purdy who want to be able to make informed decisions about what actions they chose to take."He said: "There are no guarantees against prosecution and it is my job to ensure that the most vulnerable people are protected while at the same time giving enough information to those people like Ms Purdy who want to be able to make informed decisions about what actions they chose to take."
Among the factors which would determine a prosecution are:Among the factors which would determine a prosecution are:
  • Whether a person stands to benefit financially from assisting a suicide or if they were acting out of compassion
  • If the individual wanting to die was deemed competent enough and had a "clear and settled mind" to make such a decision. Particular attention would paid to issues such as being under 18, and having a mental illness
  • Whether the person was persuaded or pressured into committing suicide, or if it was their own decision
  • Whether a person stands to benefit financially from assisting a suicide or if they were acting out of compassion
  • If the individual wanting to die was deemed competent enough and had a "clear and settled mind" to make such a decision. Particular attention would paid to issues such as being under 18, and having a mental illness
  • Whether the person was persuaded or pressured into committing suicide, or if it was their own decision
Mr Starmer rejected suggestions that publishing the guidance would lead to an increase in suicides relating to terminal or incurable illness.Mr Starmer rejected suggestions that publishing the guidance would lead to an increase in suicides relating to terminal or incurable illness.
Ms Purdy welcomed the new guidance, and said it was important to underline that people considering suicide had a duty first carefully to consider all possible alternative options.Ms Purdy welcomed the new guidance, and said it was important to underline that people considering suicide had a duty first carefully to consider all possible alternative options.
"People will know what they must make sure of before they assist, and hopefully that will give people confidence not to make such a decision until the last possible minute.""People will know what they must make sure of before they assist, and hopefully that will give people confidence not to make such a decision until the last possible minute."
Pratchett on why he wants to die at home with a brandyPratchett on why he wants to die at home with a brandy
And Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, agreed, saying the guidance represented a "significant breakthrough". And Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the Dignity in Dying campaign group, agreed, saying the guidance represented a "significant breakthrough".
"The overwhelming majority of us do not want to see people prosecuted when they have reacted compassionately to a loved one's request for help to die.""The overwhelming majority of us do not want to see people prosecuted when they have reacted compassionately to a loved one's request for help to die."
A similar law applies in Northern Ireland and fresh guidance is also expected.A similar law applies in Northern Ireland and fresh guidance is also expected.
In Scotland there is some uncertainty as there is no specific law on assisted suicide, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide law.In Scotland there is some uncertainty as there is no specific law on assisted suicide, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide law.
A bill is expected to come before the Scottish parliament soon in a bid to legalise assisted suicide.A bill is expected to come before the Scottish parliament soon in a bid to legalise assisted suicide.
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