Mar 14, 2006

Last night BBC’s Panorama filmed a major debate on whether Lord Joffe’s Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill should become law. The debate took place at Middle Temple Hall in London with Philip Havers QC and Dr Margaret Branthwaite speaking in favour of the Bill on behalf of Dignity in Dying (formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Society). The Bill was opposed by Lord Brennan and Dr Rob George speaking on behalf of the Care Not Killing alliance.

High Court Judge Mr Justice Hedley, chairing the debate, took comments from the floor both from supporters and from opponents of the Bill. Lord Joffe, Brian Pretty and the daughter of Anne Turner were present to express their support for the proposed legislation.

The vote taken by Mr Justice Hedley at the conclusion of the debate revealed that an overwhelming majority of the 300 people in attendance were opposed to the Bill. A significant number of attendees also indicated that their opinions had changed as a result of what they had heard during the debate.

‘We congratulate the Care Not Killing speakers on their excellent presentation of the many reasons why this Bill should not become law,’ said Julia Millington of the ProLife Alliance. ‘It is clear that when people are offered the truth about end of life care and the grave implications of Lord Joffe’s Bill, they are overwhelmingly opposed to the Bill becoming law.’