MSP shares views on Assisted Dying Bill at Holyrood

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP Jamie Hepburn has been talking about his views on a new Assisted Dying Bill being raised at Holyrood this week.
Jamie HepburnJamie Hepburn
Jamie Hepburn

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur is launching a third attempt to pass the bill through Parliament this week -and believes that the make-up of the new chamber will succeed where previous attempts failed.

When asked for his views on the matter, Mr Hepburn said that he was still making up his mind and that feedback from constituents would play a part in his ultimate decision to support the bill or not.

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The Scottish National Party man said: "Assisted dying is clearly a sensitive issue and a deeply personal one for individuals living with a terminal illness and their families. I am not unsympathetic to the arguments that have been made in favour of legislating for this.

“It is important to note that at present there is no specific Bill before the Scottish Parliament at this stage and any MSP seeking to take one forward will have to go through the usual process of consultation before any can be laid.

"Given the evident interest from some parliamentarians and members of the public it now seems highly probable that a bill will be presented during this parliamentary session.

"As well as following the parliamentary scrutiny of the bill, I will of course listen to the representations of those with an interest in the matter locally once we can see what the actual proposals are.Only once the specific measures are detailed can any position on any bill be determined."

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