New assisted suicide guidelines published
26 February 2010
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has issued new guidelines on whether someone will be prosecuted for helping someone to die.
The new guidelines centre on whether it is clear that the individual has made a voluntary, clear and informed decision and that the assister was wholly motivated by compassion and does not stand to gain from the death.
The DPP stresses that the announcement is not a change in law and assisted suicide remains illegal. The new guidelines indicate where prosecutors would exercise discretion in applying the law.
The guidelines follow the ruling by the law lords on campaign mounted by Debbie Purdy, who has MS, to clarify the law. She and her husband wanted to know under what circumstances he would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.
Pam Macfarlane, Chief Executive of the MS Trust, said, "We welcome the clarification and hope everyone can now get on with their lives. We strongly believe that in all aspects of their healthcare people should have all the information available to enable them to make the right choices for them. MS is not a terminal condition and as an organisation we continue to campaign for more investment in specialist palliative care and support for both the person with MS and those close to them."
MS Trust Information Service
For more information contact the MS Trust's personal information service on 0800 032 38 39 or by email
