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| Assisted dying: Minimum age in Scottish bill to be raised from 16 to 18 | Assisted dying: Minimum age in Scottish bill to be raised from 16 to 18 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Liam McArthur said the minimum age at which people should be eligible is 18 | Liam McArthur said the minimum age at which people should be eligible is 18 |
| The MSP spearheading a law change on assisted dying in Scotland is dropping a proposal to allow 16-year-olds to end their lives with medical assistance. | The MSP spearheading a law change on assisted dying in Scotland is dropping a proposal to allow 16-year-olds to end their lives with medical assistance. |
| Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur said the minimum age at which people should be eligible is 18, in line with legislation in the US, Australia and New Zealand, having considered the matter "very carefully". | Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur said the minimum age at which people should be eligible is 18, in line with legislation in the US, Australia and New Zealand, having considered the matter "very carefully". |
| If the bill passed it would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life, but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. | If the bill passed it would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life, but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. |
| MSPs are scheduled to vote on the broad principles of McArthur's bill at Holyrood on 13 May. | MSPs are scheduled to vote on the broad principles of McArthur's bill at Holyrood on 13 May. |
| McArthur said he had "reflected on both the evidence provided to the health committee and assisted dying legislation in place in other countries" in making his decision. | McArthur said he had "reflected on both the evidence provided to the health committee and assisted dying legislation in place in other countries" in making his decision. |
| He said: "In other jurisdictions that have changed the law to allow dying people access to the choice of an assisted death , such as the US, Australia and New Zealand, 18 is the age from which terminally ill adults become eligible. | He said: "In other jurisdictions that have changed the law to allow dying people access to the choice of an assisted death , such as the US, Australia and New Zealand, 18 is the age from which terminally ill adults become eligible. |
| "On balance I now feel that this would be most appropriate for Scotland." | "On balance I now feel that this would be most appropriate for Scotland." |
| He urged MSPs to vote in favour of the bill and help create "the most compassionate, safe and suitable law for Scotland". | He urged MSPs to vote in favour of the bill and help create "the most compassionate, safe and suitable law for Scotland". |
| In October last year, First Minister John Swinney said he had "not come to a final view" on the issue but added that the proposed age threshold of 16 was "a very significant issue in my mind" which MSPs will have to "wrestle" with. | In October last year, First Minister John Swinney said he had "not come to a final view" on the issue but added that the proposed age threshold of 16 was "a very significant issue in my mind" which MSPs will have to "wrestle" with. |
| MPs in England and Wales voted in favour of a bill to allow assisted dying last year, by 330 votes to 275. | MPs in England and Wales voted in favour of a bill to allow assisted dying last year, by 330 votes to 275. |
| Like the UK parliament, Holyrood will hold a free vote on assisted dying - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties. | Like the UK parliament, Holyrood will hold a free vote on assisted dying - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties. |
| Actress Liz Carr (left) and Baroness Grey-Thompson (second from right) among protesters against assisted dying outside Westminster in March | Actress Liz Carr (left) and Baroness Grey-Thompson (second from right) among protesters against assisted dying outside Westminster in March |
| Earlier this week a Holyrood committee scrutinising the legislation declined to make a recommendation on how MSPs should vote, saying it was a "matter of conscience". | Earlier this week a Holyrood committee scrutinising the legislation declined to make a recommendation on how MSPs should vote, saying it was a "matter of conscience". |
| The report from Holyrood's health committee highlighted a number of areas it said required further consideration should the bill progress to stage two. | The report from Holyrood's health committee highlighted a number of areas it said required further consideration should the bill progress to stage two. |
| These include the provision and quality of palliative care, how to ensure the mental capacity of patients opting for assistance to die and the possibility of healthcare professionals being able to "opt-in" to the practice. | These include the provision and quality of palliative care, how to ensure the mental capacity of patients opting for assistance to die and the possibility of healthcare professionals being able to "opt-in" to the practice. |
| A decade ago, a members' bill introduced by independent MSP Margo Macdonald, and taken on by Green MSP Patrick Harvie following her death, was rejected. This followed a 2004 attempt by Liberal Democrat Jeremy Purvis to enact similar legislation. | A decade ago, a members' bill introduced by independent MSP Margo Macdonald, and taken on by Green MSP Patrick Harvie following her death, was rejected. This followed a 2004 attempt by Liberal Democrat Jeremy Purvis to enact similar legislation. |
| The latest bill has proven divisive and, at times, controversial. | The latest bill has proven divisive and, at times, controversial. |
| Politicians including former First Minister Humza Yousaf and Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy have indicated they would vote against it. | Politicians including former First Minister Humza Yousaf and Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy have indicated they would vote against it. |
| It is also opposed by the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Association of Mosques. | It is also opposed by the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Association of Mosques. |
| The Church of Scotland is "partially opposed" to the legislation becoming law, but says its official position is currently under review. | The Church of Scotland is "partially opposed" to the legislation becoming law, but says its official position is currently under review. |
| Alisdair Hungerford-Morgan, the CEO of the charity Right To Life UK, said a change to the minimum age did not take away from the bill being "even more dangerous" than the Westminster legislation. | |
| He added: "The bill remains riddled with irredeemable flaws and inadequate safeguards. MSPs must reject the bill for the sake of vulnerable people and prioritise greater investment in palliative and social care instead." |