Briton wins landmark ruling on assisted suicide
Briton wins landmark ruling on assisted suicide
Right-to-die law to be clarified
Prosecutors will start work later to clarify the law on assisted suicide after a landmark court victory by a multiple sclerosis sufferer. On Thursday, Law Lords backed Debbie Purdy’s call for formal advice to be issued on the legal position of those who help a loved one commit suicide. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer said interim policy guidance would be issued by September. Critics say the ruling could pressure people into ending their lives early.
COMMENT
The law should be clearly stated. The DPP’s discretion whether or not to prosecute should not remain shadowy and ambiguous. The House of Lords decision in R (on the application of Purdy) (Appellant) v Director of Public Prosecutions (Respondent) [2009] UKHL 45 is therefore the correct one and it is good that the Law Lords came to an unanimous decision in favor of the appellant.
