Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland pass first stage

Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland 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 passed by 70 votes to 56.

The move comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales. Supporters of the bill 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.

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".

Campaigners from both sides of the debate staged demonstrations outside Holyrood ahead of the MSPs casting their votes. Actress Liz Carr, a wheelchair user, urged all those with concerns to vote no.

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.

The stage one vote was on the general principles of the bill ahead of any suggested changes. It will now face further votes at the committee stage and in the chamber before potentially becoming law - but not until early next year.

Mr McArthur said assisted dying was a "choice that for so long, so many of our constituents have asked us to provide". However, he stressed his bill had "strict eligibility criteria" with proposals for two doctors needed to independently certify that someone is both terminally ill and has the mental capacity to request an assisted death.

Only those who have lived in Scotland for at least 12 months, and who are registered with a GP in Scotland, would be able to make such a request. Read more:Widow has 'no regrets' over assisted suicide of husbandIsle of Man to legalise assisted dying There would also be a time period of at least two weeks between a request being made and the necessary medication being provided - with the patient having to be able to take this themselves.

And while it had originally been planned that people could apply for an assisted death from the age of 16, Mr McArthur confirmed recently that if the bill passed on Tuesday he would seek to amend this to 18. Following the result, Mr McArthur said it was a "landmark moment for Scotland".

"I understand that for many colleagues this has been a difficult decision, but I believe the quality of debate today has shown our parliament at its finest," he added. Ally Thomson, director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said it was a "watershed moment for compassion.