Week two of the assisted suicide Bill Select Committee in the House of Lords showed that when Parliament hears from those most at risk, the Bill\u2019s argument collapses. Disability rights campaigners, human rights experts, and mental health specialists gathered to reveal the dangers, shattering the illusion of effective safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The week began with evidence from leading palliative clinicians, care providers, and a representative from Age UK. Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a pro-assisted suicide doctor, acknowledged<\/a> that \u201cthere will be mistakes and casualties\u201d if the Bill passes. Even he, an assisted suicide fan, could not hide the reality. People would die who should not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baroness Hayter, a stalwart of the pro-camp, unwittingly admitted<\/a> that it is very hard to safely legislate for introducing assisted suicide. Pro-assisted suicide<\/a> Justice Minister Sarah Sackman floundered<\/a>, offering evasions<\/a> and vague complaints<\/a> about the current law\u2019s \u201cconundrums\u201d and \u201creal difficulties\u201d but few answers. Sackman\u2019s silent sidekick, Paul Candler, spoke<\/a> for less than 30 seconds during the 75-minute session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A senior representative from Mind outlined<\/a> threats to suicide prevention efforts. Dr Sarah Hughes said that Mind simply cannot support<\/a> the Bill in its current form. Jurisdictions that have legalised assisted suicide have seen the law expand quickly, she said<\/a>, and assessments by video call are utterly insufficient<\/a>. Cherryl Henry-Leach, Chief Executive at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, summarised this well by stating<\/a>, \u201cIt will be very difficult to deliver assisted dying safely\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paralympic legend and member of the House of Lords Tanni Grey-Thompson delivered one of the committee\u2019s most emotional interventions. She branded<\/a> the Bill \u201ca danger to disabled people,\u201d explaining<\/a> through obvious emotion how parents fear how their adult children with Down\u2019s syndrome will be treated if they outlive them. Baroness Grey-Thompson dismantled the Bill\u2019s six-month prognosis safeguard, calling<\/a> it \u201carbitrary\u201d and a \u201cbest guess,\u201d and warned it would not protect disabled people at all. She told<\/a> her fellow parliamentarians that no disability organisation supports the Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> Those most at risk from this law are clear that assisted suicide is unsafe, writes @fleurmeston<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/fTiDsUwZbL<\/a><\/p>— The Critic (@TheCriticMag) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>