Assisted dying a ‘debate whose time has come’ says Health Secretary as new bill is brought to Parliament

THE Health Secretary said assisted dying is a “debate whose time has come”, as a new bill was brought to Parliament yesterday.

But Wes Streeting admitted he was torn on the issue.

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Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said assisted dying is a ‘debate whose time has come’[/caption]

Rex

The euthanasia bill — introduced in the House of Lords by Labour’s ex-Justice Secretary Lord Falconer — would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to get medical help to end their lives.

Mr Streeting said: “It is a debate I will wrestle with.

“I’m uncharacteristically undecided on this issue, but it is a debate whose time has come.”

The Private Members’ Bill is set to be debated in November.

An assisted dying bill could also be chosen for a Commons debate in September when a ballot takes place.

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to give MPs a free vote but has not set a date so the bill could run out of time.

Assisted dying advocate Dame Esther Rantzen, 84, reckoned yesterday: “This week . . . I caught a glimpse of hope.”

Helping someone to end their life is illegal in England and Wales.

There have been moves in Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man towards changing the law.