Overview

• Kim Leadbeater, sponsor of the Assisted Dying Bill, has proposed replacing High Court oversight with a panel of experts, including psychiatrists and social workers, chaired by a senior legal figure.
• The change has sparked criticism from MPs who feel misled, as judicial approval was a key safeguard cited during earlier debates and votes on the bill.
• Supporters of the bill argue the amendment strengthens protections, while opponents claim it weakens safeguards for vulnerable individuals and shifts the bill in the wrong direction.
• Some MPs who initially supported the bill are reconsidering their positions, with opponents aiming to sway enough votes to block the legislation at its third reading in April.
• The scrutiny process has been described as chaotic, with over 350 amendments submitted and concerns raised about the rushed nature of the legislative process.