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Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland pass first stage

by 13/05/2025
1 min read

Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland pass have passed the first stage after MSPs voted in favour of the bill.

It was tabled in a bid to allow terminally ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives.

It comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales.

Supporters argue it would ease the suffering of dying Scots, while opponents argue it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Members of Dignity in Dying Scotland and members of the Assisted Dying Coalition as they show their support for a change in the law on assisted dying outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill later today. Picture date: Tuesday May 13, 2025.
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Pic: PA

Doctor Geri Hignett protests against a change in the law on assisted dying, beside protesters demonstrating in support, outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill later today. Picture date: Tuesday May 13, 2025.
Image:
Pic: PA

MSP Liam McArthur, who brought forward the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, opened the debate ahead of the stage one vote at the Scottish parliament on Tuesday.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat politician said terminally ill Scots and their families are “desperate to see the law changed”.

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur (centre) stands with supporters of a change in the law on assisted dying outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill later today. Picture date: Tuesday May 13, 2025.
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Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur brought forward the bill. Pic: PA

Protesters from the Glasgow Disability Alliance demonstrating outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill later today. Picture date: Tuesday May 13, 2025.
Image:
Pic: PA

Campaigners from both sides of the debate staged demonstrations outside Holyrood ahead of the MSPs casting their votes.

More on Assisted Dying

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Actress Liz Carr, a wheelchair user, urged all those with concerns to vote no.

Actress Liz Carr speaks to the media outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying. Pic: PA
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Actress Liz Carr outside Holyrood. Pic: PA

A free vote on the bill took place – meaning MSPs were not instructed on how to vote by their parties or the Scottish government.

First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had earlier revealed they intended to vote against it.

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‘He wanted the peaceful death’

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Isle of Man to legalise assisted dying

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