Evan Harris: Church should not abuse its privileges

Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris has accused the church of abusing its privilege in supporting a wrecking amendment to the assisted dying bill, which is having its second reading in the Lords today.

The amendment proposes to delay the reading by six months, which could see it abandoned altogether. By convention, private members' bills are not opposed in their second reading stage.

Mr Harris, a witness to the committee on assisted dying, insisted religious leaders should not use their "physical presence in our legislature to subvert debate even before it begins”.

"The select committee enquiry…unanimously recommended that the bill be properly scrutinised. It is outrageous that vested interests are seeking to deny parliament the chance to debate this," he said.

Chairwoman of the parliamentary compassion in dying group Joan Ruddock added: "The public want this bill – four out of five people consistently support it. There is a clear demand for further debate on this issue."