Yousaf: I won’t back assisted dying laws
HEALTH Secretary Humza Yousaf says he opposes a law on assisted dying – despite his predecessor backing the plan.
Jeane Freeman said she would want the option for herself but Yousaf claimed there are not enough safeguards in place.
Holyrood proposals by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur would introduce a right to an assisted death for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.
Suggested safeguards include a requirement for two doctors to confirm a person meets the requirements laid down in any law.
Attempts in the past to change the law in this area have failed.
Freeman, who was First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s Health Secretary until leaving the post in May, told BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show: “My bottom line is I would want this for myself and my loved ones.
“If that is what I want, and I do, I can’t see how I could deny that to somebody else.”
She added: “My feeling is the public in Scotland is a wee bit ahead of us on this – as they are on many things – and that there
SNP power brokers at odds over right to die is a majority support for it. Many appointed to the high-profile particularly because I’m not sure would have had personal post after the Holyrood election that we have stringent safeguards experience of a loved one or a in May, also spoke to BBC in place.” close friend whose dying process Scotland. “That isn’t a government view. has been filled with anguish and He said: “On assisted dying, On issues such as this, of course, who wanted a different way of let me make it absolutely clear these are matters of conscience.” that I’ve got absolute Ally Thomson, director of sympathy and Dignity in Dying Scotland, empathy with those said: “For dying Scots, Liam who want to see a McArthur’s Bill offers hope change in the law. that the law will change to give
“I had an uncle them what they need. who suffered with “Powerful personal testimony pancreatic cancer for two-anda-half from dying people and people years and particularly who have watched a loved one towards the end stages I wouldn’t die a painful death shows there wish it on my worst enemy.” must be more compassionate
He added: “But my own choice, and robust evidence personal view is that I’m not shows that extending choice can persuaded by the proposals, be done safely.” leaving us and that was not open to them. My gut feeling is the time is right and that our fellow citizens are of a mind that says, ‘As long as the safeguards are there, this is the right thing to do.’”
However Yousaf, who was
I’m not sure we have stringent safeguards HUMZA YOUSAF ON PLAN FOR ASSISTED DYING LAWS