Worsley and Eccles MP, Michael Wheeler has shared his thoughts on the proposed change to the assisted dying bill that will scrap the approval of a high court judge.
The proposed law for England and Wales previously said that a High Court Judge must check each patient individually, and ensure they have not been coerced into making the decision.
Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, had suggested changing this to an expert panel who oversees the applications, after concerns for the capacity of applications for judges to hear each case.
Following the proposed change, Worsley and Eccles MP, Michael Wheeler, said: “My position remains clear – any changes in the law must include the strongest possible safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals.
“I have received a significant number of approaches from constituents on both sides of this debate, and I truly value all of the perspectives shared with me.”
On the 29 November, he voted in favour of the original assisted dying bill, saying on X (formerly Twitter), “I voted in favour today, it was not an easy decision”.
The bill is currently at the committee stage, where a group of MPs from both sides of the debate consider a range of amendments to the original bill.
The new proposal states that the panel reviewing each application would be chaired by a senior legal figure, but not necessarily a judge, and would also include experts such as psychiatrists and social workers.
Their decision could, if necessary, be reviewed by the High Court.
The panels would be chosen by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission, led by a High Court judge or senior former judge.
MPs backed proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales on November 29, by a majority of 55.
The assisted dying bill will be debated further by the House of Commons and Lords later in the year, and the final version requires the approval of both before it becomes law.
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