Norfolk MP to 'abstain' on Assisted Dying bill- due to consequence fears
George Freeman, who represents Mid Norfolk, voted in favour of the Private Members Bill in November
A Norfolk MP tells us he'll abstain on the 'Assisted Dying' bill as stands- arguing it could create a range of unintended negative consequences.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, known as the Assisted Dying Bill, returns to the House of Commons later, for the first time since a historic yes vote in November.
During that vote the Mid Norfolk MP voted for it. But, now the bill's come out of Parliament's 'Committee Stage', he wants to see an alternative.
Namely, a plan from the Government to ensures an legalisation of 'Assisted Dying' is implemented properly.
"I think that would be a terrible mistake"
George told us more about where his worries come from:
"In a county like Norfolk, where we have many elderly, frail and vulnerable people, there is a worry that this bill could see the state encourage people in this position to think about doing this.
"I think that would be a terrible mistake and it's not something that I won't to put my name to."
"I think there is a growing number of MPs who want to see the law changed here, but don't think this bill is the right way to go about it.
"I hope the Government will decide to introduce a bill- that would see the whole power of the state put into drafting it and making sure that it's implementing it properly".
Assisted Dying
A cross-party group of MPs with medical and clinical backgrounds has urged colleagues in Parliament to support the Bill, which they say now has "stronger protections and solid cross-party support".
Their appeal followed what was been branded by one opponent as a "blow to (the Bill's) foundations", when the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) announced late on Tuesday that it has "serious concerns" and cannot support the proposed legislation in its current form.
The college, which is the professional medical body for psychiatrists, said it has "unanswered questions" about the safeguarding of people with mental illness.
RCPsych, which remains neutral on the principle of assisted dying, has also warned of a shortage of consultant psychiatrists to meet the demands of a Bill which would currently require a psychiatrist to sit on a three-member panel alongside a social worker and senior legal figure to assess a terminally ill person's application.
Reports speculating on the numbers of MPs who had supported the Bill last year but are now considering voting against it have been dismissed by the Bill's backers who reject the idea the proposed legislation is at risk of collapse.
The Prime Ministers view
The Prime Minister was one of those who voted in favour of the Bill in November, and signalled yesterday that his mind has not changed on the matter.
Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir was asked if his views on assisted dying had changed during the passage of the Bill.
He told broadcasters: "I do understand there are different views, strongly held views on both sides that have to be respected."
Pressed for his current opinion, Sir Keir said: "My views have been consistent throughout."
A statement, signed by supportive MPs including doctors Neil Shastri-Hurst, Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley, said the law must change.
They said: "In our experience, most healthcare professionals understand that the current law is not working. It criminalises compassion and forces dying people into situations no civilised healthcare system should accept: unbearable pain, unmitigated suffering, or the traumatic decision to end their lives overseas.
"Too often clinicians are placed in an impossible position, where supporting their patients to access choice overseas would mean risking their careers by breaking the law.
"As doctors and clinicians, we would not tolerate such a system in any other area of care. As parliamentarians, we cannot defend it now."
Dozens of amendments have been tabled and many could be debated and voted on during a five-hour sitting in the Commons on Friday.
As it stands, the Bill would allow only terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death - subject to approval by two doctors and the three-member expert panel.
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