Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has stated that he would not support a bill to allow assisted dying. Legislation has been put forward to the Scottish Parliament which would allow for terminally-ill individuals to take their own lives by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam MacArthur. It will be voted on by MSPs on 13th May.
If it passes, it would allow patients to request medical assistance to end their life, provided they have a terminal illness and have been ruled mentally fit by two doctors to make the decision. A Holyrood committee, scrutinising the legislation, said that members should vote at the first stage of the process as a “matter of conscience.”
The First Minister’s decision to vote against the bill is believed to sway some undecided MSPs, especially in his own party.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t support it (the legislation) because I’m worried that it would fundamentally change the relationships between patients and clinicians,” the First Minister told BBC News. “I’m worried that some of the vulnerable in our society might feel that they are a burden and that they may therefore opt or feel under pressure to end their life prematurely.”
His religious beliefs, he said, was a factor, he said, adding that he “agonised” over the decision. “I can’t separate myself from my own judgements,” he said. “I’m a man of faith. I believe that we are all individually and equally created in the likeness of God.
“I also have my family perspective on this – my wife has a terminal condition and that is something we live with. I can’t for a moment suggest that these real factors have had no impact on the decision I’ve made.”
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