BRITAIN will be on a “slippery slope towards death on demand” if MPs back assisted dying, the Justice Secretary has warned.
Shabana Mahmood wrote in a letter to her constituents that she was “profoundly concerned” about the legislation, which will be debated and voted on in the Commons on Friday.
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The Cabinet minister warned: “It cannot be overstated what a profound shift in our culture assisted suicide will herald.
“In my view, the greatest risk of all is the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves.”
In the letter seen by The Observer, she added: “The right to die, for some, will — inexorably and inevitably — become the duty to die for others.
“And that is why I will be voting against this Bill.”
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PM Sir Keir Starmer is expected to vote but he has opted not to say in advance whether he will support the Bill.
MPs will have a free vote on the matter, meaning their parties will not tell them what to do.
Earlier in the week, Ministers were under growing pressure to publish an impact assessment into assisted dying.
Critics said that if the Government was staying neutral it should at least conduct an independent review of the Bill.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick became the latest to make the demand, saying: “The Assisted Dying Bill isn’t party political, but the lack of any consultation or impact assessment risks making it unworkable.
“I have real concerns the courts won’t cope and the safeguards aren’t sufficient to prevent abuse.”
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater – who proposed the legislation – raised concerns when she said politicians should “butt out” of the debate.
Keir Starmer also slapped down his Health Secretary for wading into the assisted dying debate.
Tanni’s ‘rid’ fear
BARONESS Tanni Grey-Thompson has blasted the assisted dying Bill.
The disability campaigner said: “It’s full of holes and there aren’t enough safeguards to make sure vulnerable people are protected.
“If this becomes legal, it will be used to get rid of disabled people.”
