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| MSPs to vote on assisted dying in Scotland | MSPs to vote on assisted dying in Scotland |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Supporters and opponents of assisted dying gathered outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the debate | |
| For the third time in Scottish parliamentary history, MSPs are to vote on plans to legalise assisted dying. | For the third time in Scottish parliamentary history, MSPs are to vote on plans to legalise assisted dying. |
| The ballot, which would allow terminally-ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives, comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales. | The ballot, which would allow terminally-ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives, comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales. |
| Supporters describe the Holyrood bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots. | Supporters describe the Holyrood bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots. |
| Opponents say it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society. | Opponents say it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society. |
| The proposed legislation 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. | The proposed legislation 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. |
| Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who tabled the bill, recently said the minimum age of people who could seek an assisted death would rise from 16 to 18. | Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who tabled the bill, recently said the minimum age of people who could seek an assisted death would rise from 16 to 18. |
| The Scottish Parliament will hold a free vote on the bill - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties or the government. | The Scottish Parliament will hold a free vote on the bill - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties or the government. |
| The stage one vote is on the general principles of the bill. | The stage one vote is on the general principles of the bill. |
| A simple majority of votes in favour (more "yes" votes than "no" votes) would allow it to progress to stage two, where MSPs could propose changes. | A simple majority of votes in favour (more "yes" votes than "no" votes) would allow it to progress to stage two, where MSPs could propose changes. |
| Another vote on the final draft of the bill would be held before it could become legislation. | Another vote on the final draft of the bill would be held before it could become legislation. |
| What happens if there is a no vote? | |
| If MSPs do not back the bill at stage one, it will fall. | If MSPs do not back the bill at stage one, it will fall. |
| The ballot, which will follow a debate in the chamber, is expected to be close. | The ballot, which will follow a debate in the chamber, is expected to be close. |
| Dozens of MSPs have declared support or opposition to the bill, though many others are thought to be waiting to hear arguments in parliament before making up their mind. | Dozens of MSPs have declared support or opposition to the bill, though many others are thought to be waiting to hear arguments in parliament before making up their mind. |
| The Scottish government is officially neutral on the matter. | The Scottish government is officially neutral on the matter. |
| First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, however, have said they will not support the bill. | First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, however, have said they will not support the bill. |
| Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur has led the campaign to legalise assisted dying | |
| Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are also opposed, as is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. | Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are also opposed, as is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. |
| In a post on Instagram, Sturgeon warned of the potential for "internal coercion", which she described as "a feeling on the part of terminally-ill individuals that others might be better off if they were no longer here". | In a post on Instagram, Sturgeon warned of the potential for "internal coercion", which she described as "a feeling on the part of terminally-ill individuals that others might be better off if they were no longer here". |
| She also raised concerns about trying to define terminal illness in legislation. | She also raised concerns about trying to define terminal illness in legislation. |
| Sturgeon added: "If assisted dying is an option, I worry that many people will choose to die more prematurely than they need to." | Sturgeon added: "If assisted dying is an option, I worry that many people will choose to die more prematurely than they need to." |
| Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics of the bill. | Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics of the bill. |
| Pam Duncan-Glancy has raised concerns about the impact on disabled people | Pam Duncan-Glancy has raised concerns about the impact on disabled people |
| Speaking on the eve of the vote, McArthur said the legislation had "strict eligibility criteria" with people able to make a choice "in a way that is robustly safeguarded". | Speaking on the eve of the vote, McArthur said the legislation had "strict eligibility criteria" with people able to make a choice "in a way that is robustly safeguarded". |
| The Orkney MSP said: "My bill would put in place safeguards that don't currently exist, a situation that leaves many terminally-ill people more vulnerable and more likely to take matters into their own hands." | The Orkney MSP said: "My bill would put in place safeguards that don't currently exist, a situation that leaves many terminally-ill people more vulnerable and more likely to take matters into their own hands." |
| He added: "Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the 'too difficult' box. | He added: "Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the 'too difficult' box. |
| "It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence." | "It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence." |
| His bill has been backed by Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, ex-Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw and Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie. | His bill has been backed by Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, ex-Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw and Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie. |
| Social Justice Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville and Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton have also said they will vote for the proposals at stage one. | Social Justice Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville and Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton have also said they will vote for the proposals at stage one. |
| Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he would abstain from the vote to maintain neutrality. | Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he would abstain from the vote to maintain neutrality. |
| Westminster bill | Westminster bill |
| A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales passed its first stage at Westminster in November. | A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales passed its first stage at Westminster in November. |
| The proposals face months of debate, scrutiny and possible amendments, as well as final approval from the Commons and the Lords, before they could become law. | The proposals face months of debate, scrutiny and possible amendments, as well as final approval from the Commons and the Lords, before they could become law. |
| The most recent Holyrood vote on assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated at stage one by 82 votes to 36. | The most recent Holyrood vote on assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated at stage one by 82 votes to 36. |
| That bill was tabled by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. | That bill was tabled by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. |
| Following her death, the bill was taken up by Harvie, who will again argue in favour of a law change in this year's debate. | Following her death, the bill was taken up by Harvie, who will again argue in favour of a law change in this year's debate. |