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St Annes businessman Jeffrey Spector dies at Dignitas St Annes businessman Jeffrey Spector dies at Dignitas
(about 2 hours later)
A father-of-three who had developed a tumour has died at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, the BBC has confirmed. A father-of-three who feared he would be paralysed by an inoperable tumour has died at the Dignitas centre in Switzerland, the BBC has confirmed.
Businessman Jeffrey Spector, 54, of St Annes, Lancashire, died at the clinic on Friday following a six-year illness. Businessman Jeffrey Spector, 54, of St Annes, Lancashire, died on Friday following a six-year illness.
Mr Spector, who was married with three daughters, reportedly said that the condition was affecting his nervous system. Mr Spector was surrounded by friends and family at a meal the night before his death.
He told the Blackpool Gazette: "If I am paralysed and can't speak, send me to the spirit world."He told the Blackpool Gazette: "If I am paralysed and can't speak, send me to the spirit world."
The assisted suicide centre Dignitas has not commented on the case. Hotel conversation
'Operation failed' The married father of three daughters reportedly said that the condition was affecting his nervous system.
Journalist David Graham told BBC Radio Lancashire that he spoke to Mr Spector at his hotel near the clinic in Zurich.Journalist David Graham told BBC Radio Lancashire that he spoke to Mr Spector at his hotel near the clinic in Zurich.
Mr Graham said Mr Spector, a director of an advertising agency, had had a series of consultations with leading surgeons across the UK.Mr Graham said Mr Spector, a director of an advertising agency, had had a series of consultations with leading surgeons across the UK.
"He had one operation which failed and I think that spurred him on the Dignitas route," said Mr Graham."He had one operation which failed and I think that spurred him on the Dignitas route," said Mr Graham.
"He became a member of Dignitas some years ago… where you have to pay an annual fee… [so] this was in his mind for some time. Obviously it has also been in the mind of his three daughters and his wife.""He became a member of Dignitas some years ago… where you have to pay an annual fee… [so] this was in his mind for some time. Obviously it has also been in the mind of his three daughters and his wife."
Incurable illnesses Suicide Act
Mr Graham said Mr Spector's wife Elaine had dealt with his wishes and the media coverage of his death in "an extremely dignified manner".Mr Graham said Mr Spector's wife Elaine had dealt with his wishes and the media coverage of his death in "an extremely dignified manner".
Dignitas, founded in 1998, helps people with terminal and incurable illnesses to end their own lives.
In England and Wales, the Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt.In England and Wales, the Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt.
Last year the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, clarified assisted suicide guidelines, making the prosecution of health professionals less likely.Last year the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, clarified assisted suicide guidelines, making the prosecution of health professionals less likely.
However, in April, disability rights campaigners who say that assisted suicide policy is too "liberal" won permission to bring a legal challenge to her policy.However, in April, disability rights campaigners who say that assisted suicide policy is too "liberal" won permission to bring a legal challenge to her policy.
Dignitas which said it aided "accompanied suicide", often described as assisted suicide, has not commented specifically on the case.
The charity, founded in 1998, said: "The main work of Dignitas is not assistance in dying but in fact suicide preventive work, above all suicide-attempt-prevention work in a broad sense."