Assisted dying: High Court would not need to approve cases under change to bill
Assisted dying cases would not need to be signed off by a High Court judge, the MP behind a new bill has proposed.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is expected to bring forward amendments to her proposal so a multi-disciplinary panel of experts will examine cases and have the power to grant permission for assisted death.
Three-member panels would be chaired by a retired High Court judge, King’s Counsel or a person with similar qualifications – and their decisions could “if required” be reviewed by the High Court.
In the initial version of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which was backed by MPs in November, a High Court judge would have to approve requests for assistance after assent from two doctors.
Ms Leadbeater has described the amended plan as a “judge plus” system, arguing that it strengthens safeguards against pressure or coercion as it gives an “enhanced role for professionals such as psychiatrists and social workers”.
However assisted dying critics say safeguards have been watered down, with Tory minister Danny Kruger calling the change “a disgrace”.
Labour MP Diane Abbott said the bill was “rushed, badly thought out legislation” which “needs to be voted down”, while former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said “even the weak safeguards that existed are being dropped”.
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Opinions remain divided after assisted dying vote
The proposal will be voted on by a committee of MPs who will begin going through the bill line by line on Tuesday.
The committee, selected by Ms Leadbeater, has a 14-9 majority in favour of assisted dying based on November’s vote.
‘There’s a role for other experts to play’
In an interview with Sophy Ridge on Sky’s Politics Hub, filmed on Monday afternoon, Ms Leadbeater was challenged about whether a High Court judge would be specifically required in all cases.
“I think there’s a role for other experts to play,” she said and referred to expert evidence politicians have been hearing about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
“I think what came through in the evidence was the need for a multidisciplinary approach. That’s something I’m giving serious consideration to.
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How did MPs vote on assisted dying?
“I think the legal oversight is really important, but I think that multidisciplinary approach could actually enhance the bill even further,” she added.
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The new proposals would also involve the creation of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission to oversee all applications, chaired by a High Court judge or senior former judge.
Cases would be referred to multi-disciplinary panels which can grant approval.
The panel is tasked with ensuring people have the capacity to make the decision without pressure or coercion.
The bill also requires two independent doctors to submit reports on each person applying for permission to die.
In January, learning disability charity Mencap warned that discussions around the option of assisted dying might risk pushing “people in a course that they don’t, they may not want to go down”.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
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Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
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