Assisted Dying Bill Faces Renewed Opposition Ahead of Key Commons Debate

Cardinal Vincent Nichols calls the parliamentary process 'deeply flawed,' while MP Kim Leadbeater defends the legislation as rigorous and improved following amendments.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is set to return to the House of Commons on April 25 for its report stage, where further amendments and a potential third reading vote will be considered.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has urged Catholics to lobby MPs against the Bill, criticizing the parliamentary process as inadequate and warning of unintended consequences.
Key amendments made during the committee stage include replacing High Court oversight with expert panels and extending the implementation timeline to four years, with some MPs proposing to reduce it to three.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the Bill, defended the process as thorough and professional, stating that the legislation has been strengthened and made safer through amendments.
Provisions in the Bill include safeguards such as approval by two doctors and an expert panel, along with independent advocates and a disability advisory board to protect vulnerable individuals.