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Louise Stewart
Political editor, South East
Campaigners welcome debate on assisted dying
Tony Nicklinson played rugby for Cranbrook in Kent before he was paralysed
Tony Nicklinson, who is paralysed and has locked in syndrome, can't speak and communicates through his wife. Jane.
Just over two weeks ago a High Court judge ruled that he should be allowed to proceed with his "right-to-die" case.
The former Kent-based Cranbrook rugby player, has been paralysed since suffering a stroke seven years ago.
Currently if he's helped to die, those who assist him could be charged with murder.
His wife says it's time politicians addressed the issue and welcomes today's debate.
Assisted suicide“Start Quote
End Quote Jane NicklinsonThe debate today in the House of Commons is definitely a step in the right direction - albeit a very small step”
Jane Nicklinson says: "The debate today in the House of Commons is definitely a step in the right direction - albeit a very small step.
"It's nothing like what we're after but any debate is good debate for us."
It was a backbench debate so will have no effect on government policy but was significant because it was the first full assisted suicide debate on the floor of the chamber since 1970.
It comes after the Director of Public Prosecutions published new guidelines, which said any decision about whether to prosecute someone should take account of their motivation and whether they stood to gain financially.
Some MPs are calling for the guidelines to become enshrined in law.
The Green Party leader and Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline Lucas, says the new guidelines are important because:
"It's precisely the knowledge that they have control over when they are able to die that allows them to live more full and often for longer."
Vulnerable people“Start Quote
End Quote Baroness Finlay of LlandaffWhen people are ill they are vulnerable to influence by family, friends and particularly those providing care for them”
But critics say people should be "very wary" of changing the law.
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, who is Chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dying Well, says:
"When people are ill they are vulnerable to influence by family, friends and particularly those providing care for them.
"It is only too easy for them to be persuaded, either actively or passively, that they would be better off dead".
Campaigners say the debate is a positive move but the government has no current plans to change the law when it comes to assisted dying.
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Comment number 1.
colaroid19th June 2012 - 8:59
It's about time this was debated, there is no reason to deny this option to people. It's their body and their choice-it's no-one elses business!
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Comment number 2.
Ray19th June 2012 - 16:11
I am sure that if 99.9% of people put themselves in Tony's shoes they would argue Tony's points. The guy has got to be given the right to die. This is not humanity at it's worst, it is humanity at it's best.
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Comment number 3.
Charles19th June 2012 - 18:25
The discussion was helped by Eddie Mair`s no nonsense interview with the Nicklinson family on PM. He always gets it right and the family were equally impressive with their totally honest and direct responses. I hope Mr. Nicklinson has some success.
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Comment number 4.
Mike Barker MBE23rd June 2012 - 17:47
We make inhumane judgements when others are in difficulty like Tony. He faces a daily torment and is of sound mind to know what he wants He has shown great courage in wanting to make a final contribution to others who find themselves in a similar position. Facilitating death as palliative care nurses do is a matter of degree not principle
We turn away from healthy viable foetus being killed
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Comment number 5.
Over Population17th August 2012 - 9:40
This is nothing short of sheer cruelty. What he is having to endure is the stuff of nightmares. He is suffering something which we can only imagine and to compound his suffering, he is having to watch his family go through this ordeal too. We would not let an animal go through this torment so why are we subjecting him and his family to it. This is a disgraceful and apalling judgement.
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Comments 5 of 6