'Victory' but 'uphill battle' for assisted dying bill

Two women wearing bright pink t-shirts hug in a crowd in front of the Houses of ParliamentImage source, PA Media
  • Published

Saturday's front pages mainly focus on the decision by MPs to back assisted dying in England and Wales.

With the headline, "Victory!", the Daily Express, external features an image of campaigners outside parliament, celebrating what the Guardian calls a "societal shift that will transform end-of-life care". According to the Daily Mirror, external, there were "tears of joy" as supporters of assisted dying hugged each other in relief.

But the Times, external warns that the bill faces an "uphill battle" to become law, in the face of opposition from the House of Lords. One peer tells the paper there are "plenty of black arts" that can be used to kill the legislation. The Daily Mail, external also suggests the battle is "far from over".

The i Weekend, external says the NHS must now choose how the process will work - as under the current proposals, the toxins used to end life must be self-administered. It says the most likely option will be a cocktail of drugs that can be taken orally as a liquid -- or a lethal injection.

The Sun, external highlights the vandalism committed by pro-Palestinian activists at RAF Brize Norton, after they broke into the base and sprayed military planes with red paint. Calling those involved "Brize idiots", the paper says it's "beyond belief that security could be so lax" at a time of high alert over Iran and Russia. The Daily Telegraph, external describes the incident as an "act of sabotage" - and says the government is right to respond by proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

News Daily banner

Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox.

News Daily banner