This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17516998

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MPs to debate assisted dying laws MPs to debate assisted dying laws in Commons
(about 9 hours later)
MPs are to debate whether the law on assisted dying needs to change to take into account recent changes to the way prosecutions are handled. MPs are to debate whether to endorse new prosecution guidelines on assisted dying later.
Rules brought in by the director of public prosecutions in 2010 must either enter fully into law or be thrown out, Tory MP Richard Ottaway argues.
Assisting a suicide is illegal and the issue is highly controversial.Assisting a suicide is illegal and the issue is highly controversial.
The Commons Backbench Business Committee allowed the debate, which is due to start at about 13:30 BST. In 2010, the director of public prosecutions said any decision about whether to prosecute someone should take account of their motivation and whether they stood to gain financially.
It is the first time the House has discussed the law on assisted dying for more than 10 years. Tory MP Richard Ottaway says MPs should discuss the guidelines because they affect how the law is applied.
The existing rules are the result of a case brought by Debbie Purdy, a terminally ill woman, who in 2009 won a ruling from the Law Lords requiring the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to set out whether her husband would be committing an offence if he accompanied her to the Swiss assisted-suicide organisation Dignitas to end her life. The Commons Backbench Business Committee allowed the debate, which is due to start at about 1330 BST.
In 2010, the DPP produced guidance to prosecutors on cases where someone had encouraged or assisted suicide, listing factors which should weigh for or against prosecuting. It will be the first full assisted suicide debate on the floor of the chamber since 1970 - although there was a vote on a backbench MP's "ten minute rule bill" in 1997.
Mr Ottaway argues that the guidelines more or less amount to law - but that such a change must be decided either by Parliament or judges. 'Out of step'
The 2010 guidelines were the result of a case brought by Debbie Purdy, a terminally ill woman, who in 2009 won a ruling from the Law Lords requiring the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to set out whether her husband would be committing an offence if he accompanied her to the Swiss assisted-suicide organisation Dignitas to end her life.
DPP Keir Starmer listed factors which should weigh for or against prosecuting - including whether the victim had reached a "voluntary, clear, settled and informed" decision and whether the suspect had acted "wholly compassionately".
MPs will debate the motion, tabled by Mr Ottaway, "this House welcomes the director of public prosecutions' policy for prosecutors in respect of cases of encouraging or assisting suicide published in February 2010".
They will be able to endorse or reject Mr Starmer's guidelines by voting on the motion.
Mr Ottaway said a rejection of the motion would "indicate that the thinking of parliamentarians (who make the law) is out of step with the DPP, who enforces the law".
However, it would not cause the guidelines to be withdrawn because they were brought in by a court order and could only be withdrawn with another order.
The Suicide Act 1961 - which makes assisting suicide illegal - states that the DPP decides on all cases of assisting suicide. If MPs wanted to remove that power, they would have to change the law.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of campaign group Dignity in Dying, said: "Whatever their views on assisted dying and whether dying Britons should have the choice of an assisted death in the UK, I do not imagine MPs will be able to, in good conscience, vote against the motion and effectively say to those people watching the debate that they should be in prison for making one of the most heart-breaking decisions of their lives."
In January, the Commission on Assisted Dying - set up and funded by campaigners who want to see a change in the law - said there was a "strong case" for allowing assisted suicide for people who are terminally ill in England and Wales.In January, the Commission on Assisted Dying - set up and funded by campaigners who want to see a change in the law - said there was a "strong case" for allowing assisted suicide for people who are terminally ill in England and Wales.
But the report had a mixed response, with critics calling it biased.But the report had a mixed response, with critics calling it biased.
The government indicated there were no plans to change the law.The government indicated there were no plans to change the law.