Jackie Baillie says the approach of Liam McArthur - who has brought this bill to parliament - has been “exemplary” and that his proposed legislation is more focused than previous attempts.

She mentions receiving a huge amount of correspondence from constituents about the legislation, including several emotional personal stories, such as Michelle Moffat, who appeared on the BBC’s Scotcast programme. These stories “weigh heavily” in decision making, she says.

However, the Labour deputy leader says she worries about the safeguards of the bill. She doesn’t “want anyone to feel they are a burden to their family” or have a “misplaced” sense of duty. She adds she is concerned about the practical implications for the NHS.

There is “too much that has not been scrutinised” she continues, and brings up issues not considered before – such as whether abusive partners could “weaponise” the legislation to use against partners.

More should be done to fund palliative care, she concludes, saying she will vote against the bill.

MSPs 'inundated' with views from constituentspublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 13 May

15:35 BST 13 May

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

MSPs have been inundated with correspondence from members of the public on the assisted dying issue.

One MSP I spoke to had received 200 emails overnight, while another reckoned they’d had 1600 over the last ten days.

Many were pro-forma, templated objections. But others were heart-breaking comments from concerned constituents.

The politicians will have to weigh up how they feel personally about this issue. It’s a free vote, which means political parties aren’t dictating which button to press and MSPs will make a decision as a matter of conscience.

Image source, scottish parliament

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who is a GP, thanks Liam McArthur for being "brave enough to bring this bill forward".

The Tory MSP says consistent polling shows disabled people want this choice.

"I support the bill at stage one."

He says his experiences as a doctor have led him to believe we must do better and that is what this bill seeks today.

Dr Gulhane reminds the chamber MSPs are only voting on the general principles of the bill.

Respectful, thoughtful and considerate - just how this debate should bepublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 13 May

15:27 BST 13 May

Martin Geissler, Scotcast presenter

I don’t get through to Holyrood as often as I’d like - today is a good day to be here.

Even chatting over coffee in the garden lobby, it’s clear there’s a determination among our MSPs that Parliament should be seen to be at its best today: respectful, thoughtful and considerate.

I was sitting in the gallery directly above Liam McArthur as he laid out the case for his bill at the start of the debate. He struggled to deliver the final words as emotion overtook him, but as he took his seat a hushed chamber burst into applause - from all sides.

This is one of those issues that sees MSPs swamped by correspondence from constituents imploring them to vote a certain way, often with deeply personal stories. The debate continues as I write this and we’ll speak to supporters of both sides on Scotcast this evening.

But whatever the result – and the suggestion is it may be very tight – there’s already a sense that this profoundly important conversation is being handled in the right way.

It is now the turn of Labour MSP Daniel Johnson, and he urges his fellow MSPs to find a settled view on this issue.

He says he will vote for the bill at decision time, but adds he does have concerns.

He explains his answer to the, question should people have the choice of bodily autonomy, and his answer is yes.

Johnson says the ability to remove consent can only be achieved if it is an autonomous act.

"This is about providing options and control in a situation where those are being removed from people because of life itself."

Image source, scottish parliament

Edward Mountain is the first Conservative to contribute to the debate.

He says he isn’t against the bill on religious grounds, but is reflecting on his own experiences when he had to consider the end of his own life, following a bowel cancer diagnosis in 2021.

He says he believes the bill fails because it is indulging in “passive coercion” – people will think they can save their families' money by choosing to end their lives, rather than spending it on medical care. He calls this a “duty to die” rather than a right to die.

Mountain closes by saying he can’t support the bill as the Parliament should be trying to make it easier to chose life, not die.

The importance of improving palliative carepublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 13 May

15:14 BST 13 May

Lisa Summers
BBC Scotland health correspondent

The need for palliative care in Scotland to improve has been a consistent theme of the debate around assisted dying.

Some doctors argue that chronic underfunding has led to poor and inconsistent access which might pressurise people into opting for assisted suicide instead.

Liam McArthur says it shouldn’t be one or the other. He wants to see more funding for palliative care, but also argues a small number of terminally ill people who qualify should be allowed to make a decision if they want to end their life.

The Health and Sport Committee that scrutinised the evidence says regardless of the outcome of the vote it should be a catalyst to improve services.

Neil Gray says: "We should be grateful for the spotlight this debate has put on palliative care."

The health secretary praises all the staff who provide palliative care in Scotland.

He concludes saying he will endeavour to provide "reassurance, support and clarity" going forward.

Image source, scottish parliament

We now move to the open debate with Health Secretary Neil Gray getting to his feet first. He has already indicated he will abstain from the vote to remain unbiased.

The health secretary praises Liam McArthur for his "careful and considered work on the bill".

"This debate is one of the most significant we have faced," he continues, adding the government has taken a neutral position.

The health secretary stresses, regardless of today's vote, the need to provide high quality palliative care and care around dying to everyone who needs it.

What is the definition of terminally ill?published at 15:02 British Summer Time 13 May

15:02 BST 13 May

Lisa Summers
BBC Scotland health correspondent

The definition of terminally ill has been a point of contention.

In the Westminster legislation, terminally ill is defined as having less than six months to live; but the Scottish bill does not have a life expectancy timescale.

It says it applies to somebody with advanced and progressive disease that is expected to cause their premature death.

The committee analysing the bill has highlighted the difficulty with this and says more clarity may be required.

They say not having a prognostic timescale could widen eligibility for those living with a progressive condition but who may not be expected to die for a considerable period of time.

However, they also recognise that there is an argument that it is ultimately better to allow the decision to be made by clinicians.

Liam McArthur has insisted there will be opportunities to look at this again.

Clare Haughey goes on to outline other areas to be considered further if the bill moves to a second stage. These include ensuring that the capacity for people with mental disorders is assessed in a “fair” manner.

If the bill becomes law, the Rutherglen MSP says the committee believe it would be important to monitor the impact on existing healthcare services over time, and whether specific aspects of assisted dying would be better on a “stand-alone” basis.

The Scottish government would need to ensure assisted dying does not negatively affect existing funding for services, she adds.

Further clarity would be “essential” if the bill becomes law, and further alternative models should be explored as the legislation progresses.

As McArthur concludes his statement, SNP MSP Clare Haughey speaks on behalf of the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

She says it have carried out detailed scrutiny of the bill.

The voted should be treated as a matter of conscience, she says, which is why the committee will not set out a definite view on the matter.

She says members need to decide whether the bill strikes the right balance between protecting vulnerable groups while also giving the right for terminally ill adults to chose to end their lives.

She goes on to say that hopefully the current debate can serve as a “catalyst” for further improvements to palliative care in Scotland.

The Rutherglen MSP adds that minimum age and residency in the legislation could be benefit from “further clarification” if the bill progresses.

Liam McArthur begins to conclude his opening remarks saying "today we can take a significant step forward giving terminally ill adults across Scotland more choice ".

"It's a brave step, yes, but it's a compassionate one."

The Lib Dem MSP pays tribute to the late Margo MacDonald - who previously brought an assisted dying bill to parliament.

While visibly choking back tears, he quotes the former MSP and then a woman called Annie who said assisted dying can actually provide a lifeline.

"We can't continue to leave this in the 'too difficult box', presiding officer, that would be unforgivable."

He moves that parliament agree the general principles of his bill.

There is another intervention, as Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy says: "This is of course about assisting someone to take their own life and when that is explained the majority of people don't support it."

Liam McArthur denies that is not the case - arguing that polling across the disabled community reflects the population at large in being in favour of assisted dying.

Liam McArthur tells the chamber: "Denying dying Scots more choice will not enhance the lives of those with a disability."

He says people with a disability should not be denied this choice.

He stresses he is open to additional safeguards as the bill makes it's way through the parliament.

McArthur says he is committed to allaying concerns as much as possible.

Liam McArthur tells the chamber he thinks his bill contains the necessary safeguards.

The Lib Dem MSP turns to the content of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

But before that, Tory MSP Liam Kerr intervenes to ask if the definition of terminally ill may be too broad and vague in the proposed legislation.

McArthur accepts there have been concerns and stresses there will be the opportunity at Stage 2 and Stage 3 - if the bill gets that far - to tighten the definition.

The outcome is too close to callpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 13 May

14:34 BST 13 May

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

As the debate gets under way, with a vote still probably about five hours away, it’s fair to describe the outcome as being too close to call.

We’ve had a shot at totting up the figures, which should be considered one level above the kind of calculations one scrawls on the back of a napkin.

But I reckon we’re sitting on about 50 MSPs confirmed in favour, with another dozen potentially swaying that way.

That includes several who say they have reservations about the plans, but are willing to back them to continue the debate about the detail as the bill moves through parliament.

On the other side there are also about 50 MSPs who have declared themselves as being against the bill, who want to see it fall today.

That leaves about a dozen who are undecided or keeping their cards close to their chests.

It looks like those votes will make all the difference in whether the bill moves forward or not; it looks like it is properly on a knife-edge.

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who drafted the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, is outlining how the law could change.

If passed by MSPs, eligible applicants would have to:

• be resident in Scotland for at least 12 months
• be registered with a GP in Scotland
• be terminally ill
• have the mental capacity to make the request

The bill is being considered by the health committee, external ahead of this afternoon's initial vote by MSPs.

In October 2024, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the proposed legislation went beyond the limits of Holyrood's powers, and was a matter for Westminster.

However, McArthur said he was confident the UK and Scottish governments could find a solution if MSPs backed his bill.

• 'Northern Ireland is being left behind on assisted dying'

Liam McArthur says parliament finally has the chance to debate or vote on his assisted dying bill.

The Lib Dem MSP says he does not remember being this nervous in a debate.

He accepts colleagues across the chamber will be conflicted but he reminds MSPs that today's vote is only on the general principles.

McArthur urges them to vote to allow parliament the opportunity to consider amendments.

He regrets but understands if people can't vote for it because of religious faith and he urges MSPs not just to vote it down because it's too difficult a decision.

Image source, scottish parliament

The debate on proposals to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has begun.

Liam McArthur, who is proposing the legislation, is first to speak in the chamber at Holyrood.