Legal expert: Euthanasia laws would allow cleaner deaths

The man sentenced yesterday for helping his wife to die had been left with little alternative, a legal expert has argued.

Professor of medical law Hazel Biggs told politics.co.uk the case of David March was "tragic because people are left with very little alternative as they can't get legal suicide".

She added: "It was really tragic that his wife had to take her life in this grotesque way, and that he had to go through a trial and now has a criminal record for something that was a humanitarian response."

Stressing that she "absolutely" supports calls for euthanasia laws, the professor at Lancaster University said it would allow people "a cleaner and more certain death".

Ms Biggs acknowledged there would be "a raft of issues" around the practicalities of assisted dying laws – including the right of doctors to conscientiously object to becoming involved.