Assisted dying: Doctors’ group drops its opposition

A DOCTORS’ group sparked a row yesterday after ditching its opposition to assisted dying.

Results from a poll of nearly 7,000 members of the Royal College of Physicians means it will take a neutral stance on any liberalisation of laws that criminalise assisted suicide.

But critics called the ballot ‘a sham’, pointing out only 25 per cent backed a neutral stance. Some 43.4 per cent did not want a change in the law, with just 31.6 per cent in favour of it.

The RCP decided a neutral policy would be adopted if for or against voters failed to win a 60 per cent share.

Campaigners’ efforts to change the law ended in November when the Supreme Court ruled it was for Parlia-

ment to decide. College president Professor Andrew Goddard said: ‘Neutral means … we won’t be focusing on assisted dying in our work.’

But Dr Gordon Macdonald, of antieuthanasia group Care Not Killing, said: ‘Doctors have shown they do not support changing the law. We hope the RCP will listen and reverse their absurd decision.’

The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, said: ‘The Church of England’s position remains to affirm the intrinsic value of every human life and express its support for the current law.’

But Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said: ‘As someone who has recently been persuaded of the merits of allowing properly regulated assisted dying with safeguards, it is reassuring that the medical profession has also made the same journey.’