BHA comments on police investigation into Gosling assisted dying case
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
12:00 AM
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has responded to reports that police are to investigate TV presenter Ray Gosling, following his claim that he smothered his terminally ill lover as a result of a pact with him.
Andrew Copson, BHA Chief Executive, commented, 'Every time a story like this comes to public attention it reinforces the need for an urgent change in the UK law on assisted dying. Nobody should be put in a position where they feel they have no other option than to ask a loved one to help them die should their suffering become unbearable. We believe that legalising assisted dying in UK, with strict safeguards in place, is the most rational and most ethically preferable option, empowering people to make choices over their end-of-life care, including the choice to have an assisted death if they want.'
'Our elected representatives in Parliament need to take urgent action to make serious reforms to the law, both to protect vulnerable people and to enable people who are terminally ill or otherwise incurably suffering to make autonomous choices at end of life.'
Notes
For further comment or information, please contact Andrew Copson, andrew@humanism.org.uk, 020 7079 3583, 07534 248596.
Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers
who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within
politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the
opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility
of the originating company or organisation.
The "motivation of the suspect" has been made the main focus for prosecutors when they assess assisted dying cases, but the director of public prosecutions has denied relaxing rules on euthanasia.
The House of Lords is currently debating the coroners and justice bill as prominent members seek to amend the Suicide Act of 1961.
Peers have today voted to block a bill allowing terminally ill people in unbearable pain to end their own lives.
Read prosecutors' new factors for and against prosecution in assisted dying cases here.
One day we will look back in shock at society's current approach to death and the unbearable suffering which is inflicted by the lack of a compassionate law.
Controversial new guidelines on assisted suicide have been published by director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer.
The House of Lords has rejected a move to legalise Brits taking their loved ones overseas for assisted suicide.
Peter Hain could face a police investigation into his failure to declare £103,000 donated to his deputy leadership campaign.
The Metropolitan police have completed the interim report into their own investigation over the arrest of shadow immigration minister Damian Green.
The Metropolitan police have ruled out the prospect of a criminal investigation against disgraced Conservative MP Derek Conway.
Newsletter sign up