Right-to-die campaigner ends life in Swiss clinic

Wife of MND sufferer vows to continue fight for rights of terminally ill

Assisted dying campaigner Richard Selley, from Perth, died at lunchtime yesterday at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

The retired teacher, 65, was with his wife Elaine and brother Peter as he took his final breath after choosing to stop his suffering from motor neurone disease, with which he was diagnosed in 2015.

Following his death, Elaine paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying “he had taken control of his own destiny”.

“At Dignitas, in a clinically clean room, well appointed but devoid of any personal touches, we could feel all the love that has been shared with us over the years,” Elaine said.

“The end was dignified and calm, exactly as Richard wanted. He had taken control of his own destiny.

“In so few words I cannot begin to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported us both over these last five years.

“Your friendship, humanity, humour and kindness have made this journey more bearable. I know that Richard found great solace in the knowledge that he had made a difference to so many lives.

“His writing allowed him to communicate his innermost thoughts and feelings and gave him a sense of real peace.

“He left nothing unsaid and I am immensely proud of everything he achieved.”

Before his death Richard wrote of his reasons for seeking help to end his life, which cost £10,000, saying he had lost his ability to walk, talk and swallow.

The campaigner also chose to die earlier than he would have preferred because he had to be well enough to fly to Switzerland, stating that if assisted dying were available in Scotland he would have been able to die at a time of his choosing at home.

Elaine stressed that the care her husband received at Dignitas was “exceptional” with “so many safeguards in place to ensure that people are not in any way being coerced to end their lives”.

She will now continue to fight for the “human rights of those who are terminally ill” to choose how and when they die in Scotland, saying the experience of travelling to Switzerland was “traumatic” and one that would never leave her. “No one should ever need to make that journey from a supposedly humane and compassionate country like Scotland,” she said.

Richard’s campaign and story has won the support of Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who said public opinion in support of assisted dying had consistently been ahead of parliament.

Mr Harvie said: “Most people can clearly see the injustice in the current situation, which gives choice and control only to those with the money to pay to travel abroad.

“I would urge all MSPs to recognise that it’s natural for all of us to want some control over our lives, over our care and treatment, and indeed over our death when the time comes.”

The end was dignified and calm, exactly as Richard wanted. He had taken control of his own destiny ELAINE SELLEY

Richard Selley, who had advanced motor neurone disease, travelled to Swiss clinic Dignitas with wife Elaine to end his life.