Nicola: I’m more open to assisted dying law

THE prospect of assisted dying being legalised in Scotland has grown after Nicola Sturgeon said she was now ‘more open’ to the idea.

The First Minister voted against proposed right-to-die laws at Holyrood in 2015.

But the SNP leader said she was ‘always very moved’ by terminally ill people who want to end their life early rather than face a prolonged and often painful death.

A proposal to give mentally competent adults with incurable and likely fatal illnesses the right to an assisted death has been introduced at the Scottish parliament by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur.

Under his plans to safeguard assisted dying, the individual would have to sign a written declaration and two doctors would have to independently confirm the person is eligible.

A previous attempt to decriminalise those who help terminally ill loved ones was rejected by MSPs – including Miss Sturgeon.

But asked about her current stance in light of the renewed bid to change the law, Miss Sturgeon told the Daily Record: ‘I haven’t come to a concluded view this time.

‘It’s an issue I really struggle with. And I will have to come to a view on it before parliament votes on it again, and I will.

‘I think my mind is more open to it than it perhaps has been in the past... I am always very moved by people whose... terminal illness has meant they’ve been in a position where they think they perhaps would have wanted to have the right to assisted dying.’

Mr McArthur said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon is not alone in reviewing her position on this. Over recent months, we have seen a number of senior political figures from across the party spectrum describe how their position has changed.’

But opponents of the assisted dying plans have warned of ‘profound dangers’ of assisted suicide, with Dr Miro Griffiths, from the Better Way campaign, saying: ‘It is vital that the First Minister follows the evidence on assisted suicide and euthanasia, and it clearly shows profound dangers for individuals and society at large.’

Stuart Weir, director of CARE for Scotland, said: ‘The First Minister’s statement that she is “more open” to assisted suicide proposals will be alarming to those most opposed to a change in the law – members of the disabled people’s community.

‘Disabled people’s lives are already devalued and will be further stigmatised if assisted dying reaches the statute book.’

‘I’ll have to come to a view on it’