Assisted dying: MSPs to begin scrutiny of almost 300 amendments to ‘deeply flawed’ bill

The private member’s bill sponsored by Lib Dem Liam McArthur narrowly passed stage one earlier this year 70-56 but just a few MSPs need to switch sides for the legislation to fail.

Far-reaching suggested changes to the bill have come from across the chamber revealing the growing concerns of MSPs from all parties.

Opposition to the bill is being spearheaded by campaign group Care Not Killing. Its CEO Dr Gordon Macdonald said: “Serious questions remain about the safety of this legislation and It is abundantly clear that no number of amendments can make this deeply-flawed bill safe.”

In total, 287 amendments will be considered by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee before the end of November.

Dr Macdonald said: “This committee stage is a crucial chance to examine the real consequences of assisted suicide before it were to become law.”

He added that polling reveals support for assisted suicide falls to 19 per cent when people understand the unintended consequences. 

He commented: “Yet this bill, as drafted, leaves vulnerable people exposed to pressure and irreversible decisions. Across communities people have raised concerns about its impact on those with disabilities, at risk of domestic abuse, eating disorder charities, people with poor mental health and those that feel like a burden.

“No safeguards, however well-intentioned, can make it safe. 

“This bill will bring about a society that assists people to die rather than assist people to live.”

He continued: “During the stage one debate many MSPs made it clear they were unconvinced by the proposals and voted to let the bill progress to allow more debate to take place and give an opportunity to provide safeguards.

“But Mr McArthur has much convincing to do before the bill goes any further, especially following stinging criticism of his proposals earlier this year by the scrutinising Health Committee which highlighted more than 30 flaws in his bill. Many MSPs just do not want to risk it.”