MSPs reject assisted dying bill

MSPs have voted against legislation to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.

The bill, tabled by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, would have allowed terminally-ill adults resident in Scotland to request and receive help from medical professionals in ending their lives.

But after a four-hour debate on Tuesday evening, it was rejected by 69 votes to 57.

McArthur said he was “deeply disappointed” by the outcome and said he was “sorry” to those Scots who wanted the bill to pass.

He added: “For now we should be proud that this is by far the most votes that an assisted dying bill has ever secured in the Scottish Parliament. This is not a conversation that is going away.

“For so long as dying Scots continue to suffer as a result of the lack of choice and safety afforded to them by the current law, I’m certain that it will be an issue in front of parliament once more.”

However opponents of the bill reacted with relief, citing concerns over safeguards, coercion and the impact it might have on disabled people.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain, who opposed the bill from the start, said: “This was the correct decision. This bill had too many holes and posed too many difficulties.

“We must use this moment to improve palliative care, to improve the lives of disabled people, and to ensure we have a system of care that delivers for everyone.”

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was introduced to parliament in March 2024 and passed at stage one last year by a comfortable margin of 70 votes to 56.

However, several MSPs at the time warned they may withdraw support from the bill if they were not content it could be introduced with sufficient safeguards.

In the end 11 MSPs changed their position from for to against.

Health Secretary Neil Grey, who was absent from the debate after being hospitalised on Monday, abstained from the vote by proxy.

The Scottish Government, which maintained a neutral position on the bill, has committed to ensuring there was “well-coordinated, compassionate and high-quality palliative and end of life care”.