MSPs at Holyrood back Scotland's assisted dying bill with 14 vote majority

Summary

Following an emotional debate in the Scottish Parliament chamber, MSPs back proposals to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
A bill, which was drafted by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, is backed by 70 and rejected by 56. There was one abstention.
Supporters of the move describe it as progress in easing the suffering of dying Scots.
Opponents believe it will fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The vote in favour is just the first step in the parliamentary process.
McArthur says he is "delighted" the bill has jumped its first hurdle and adds: "This is a significant step for the Scottish Parliament to have taken."
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, a vocal opponent of the bill, says she is "heartbroken" at the vote.

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren

What is being proposed in this controversial bill?published at 14:15 British Summer Time 13 May
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has said believes the majority of people in Scotland support his bill
If the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill passes, it would allow patients to request medical assistance to end their own life.
However, it would only be permitted under strict circumstances - if the person had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors.
Scotland has tried to pass similar legislation before - in 2010, the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill failed, followed by an attempt in 2014 with the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.
The latest Scottish bill has proved divisive, and is opposed by the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Association of Mosques.
The Church of Scotland is "partially opposed" to the legislation becoming law, but says its official position is currently under review.
Last week Liam McArthur said he would raise the minimum age in the proposed legislation from 16 to 18.
The Lib Dem MSP said he had considered the matter "very carefully" and the change was in line with legislation in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Demonstrations from both sides outside Parliamentpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 13 May
Paul Ward
BBC Scotland News, at the Scottish Parliament
The debate will get under way shortly inside the Scottish Parliament, but outside there’s been activity all morning with demonstrations from both sides of the argument.
Among them were those with personal stories and people with medical experience.
Student nurse Steven Campbell joined Dignity In Dying campaigners who were at Holyrood from 08:00.
He said: “It’s a very difficult and emotional thing to look after people at the end of life.
"Sometimes palliative care can only do so much, I’ve seen some horrible situations. We need to give people choice.”
Dr Gillian Wright from Our Duty of Care joined those against assisted dying from midday.
She said: “this would be a seismic shift for medicine.
“The real issue is that we don’t have the right care for the right patients in Scotland.
"There are too many patients not getting the palliative care they need.”
A progressive move to ease suffering, or a risk to the most vulnerable?published at 14:01 British Summer Time 13 May
Angus Cochrane
BBC Scotland News
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Supporters and opponents of assisted dying gathered outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the debate
This will be the third time in Scottish parliamentary history that MSPs will vote on plans to legalise assisted dying.
The ballot, which would allow terminally-ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives, comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales.
Supporters describe the Holyrood bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots.
Opponents say it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The proposed legislation would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life - but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors.
Read more here.
Welcomepublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 13 May
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur launched his bill in March 2024
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the debate on the Assisted Dying For Terminally Ill (Scotland) Bill, external.
The bill is being put forward at the Scottish Parliament by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur.
If it is eventually passed, it would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life, but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors.
You can watch the entire debate from Holyrood here with us by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page from about 14:20.
We'll bring you reports and analysis of what promises to be an extremely emotive session at Holyrood, before MSPs are asked to vote on the general principles of the bill at decision time at 19:00.
MSPs will be allowed a free vote on the issue, meaning parties will not compel their members to back a particular position.