British Council of Disabled People: Assisted suicide sentence disappointing

The decision not to jail a man who admitted helping his severely disabled wife to die has been condemned by the British Council of Disabled People (BCODP).

Parliamentary campaigner Simone Aspis said the case of David March – who was originally charged with murder, but later pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide – highlighted the need for more support for disabled people and their carers.

"What kind of message does this send out to society when it's easier to be let off for murdering a disabled person than to get the state to supply the resources to ensure that a disabled person can live his or her life with dignity?" she argued.

She added: "This has repercussions for future judgments when it sends out the message that you can go round killing disabled people and all you'll get is a slap on the wrist. It is hardly a punishment."