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Health Secretary asked for figures from statistician Sir Ian Diamond last week
Matt Hancock reportedly said data will provide further information for debate
In the UK, assisted suicide is illegal and can be punishable by up to 14 years in jail
It follows nearly 50 senior doctors calling for an inquiry into the ban last year
Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org
UK Government Takes First Steps Towards Legalising Assisted Suicide
by : Emily Brown on : 02 May 2021 11:18
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The UK government looks to be taking steps towards legalising assisted suicide as Health Secretary Matt Hancock has requested data on those with terminal conditions who have taken their own lives.
Assisted suicide has long been a controversial topic among government leaders, though advocates for the practice continue to argue that people suffering with incurable illnesses should have control over when and how they die.
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Last week, Hancock requested figures on assisted suicide from the UK’s top statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, and told the All Party Parliamentary Group for Choice that he hopes the data will offer information to open up a discussion on legalising the practice.
Matt Hancock takes first steps towards legalising assisted suicide
PLUS: Writing in the Telegraph, Andrew Mitchell MP says we must examine whether current laws respect citizens dignity
1 May 2021 • 8:00pm
Matt Hancock said his attitudes towards assisted suicide had been affected by speaking to Sir Paul Cosford, the medical director of Public Health England, who suffered from cancer and died aged 57
Credit: Ian Forsyth /Getty Images
Matt Hancock has opened the door to legalising assisted suicide in Britain by asking for official figures on how many people who have killed themselves for medical reasons.
The Health Secretary wrote to Sir Ian Diamond, the national statistician, last week to ask for data on how many Britons who kill themselves have terminal medical conditions.