Britain will be on ‘slippery slope towards death on demand’ if MPs back assisted dying, warns Justice Secretary

BRITAIN volition beryllium connected a “slippery slope towards decease connected demand” if MPs backmost assisted dying, the Justice Secretary has warned.

Shabana Mahmood wrote successful a missive to her constituents that she was “profoundly concerned” astir the legislation, which volition beryllium debated and voted connected successful the Commons connected Friday.

The Cabinet curate warned: “It cannot beryllium overstated what a profound displacement successful our civilization assisted suicide volition herald.

“In my view, the top hazard of each is the unit the elderly, vulnerable, sick oregon disabled whitethorn spot upon themselves.”

In the missive seen by The Observer, she added: “The close to die, for some, volition — inexorably and inevitably — go the work to dice for others.

"And that is wherefore I volition beryllium voting against this Bill.”

PM Sir Keir Starmer is expected to ballot but helium has opted not to accidental successful beforehand whether helium volition ­support the Bill.

MPs volition person a escaped ballot connected the matter, meaning their parties volition not archer them what to do.

Earlier successful the week, Ministers were nether increasing pressure to people an interaction appraisal into assisted dying.

Critics said that if the Government was staying neutral it should astatine slightest behaviour an autarkic reappraisal of the Bill.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick became the latest to marque the demand, saying: “The Assisted Dying Bill isn’t enactment political, but the deficiency of immoderate consultation oregon interaction appraisal risks making it unworkable.

“I person existent concerns the courts won’t header and the safeguards aren’t capable to forestall abuse.”

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater - who projected the authorities - raised concerns erstwhile she said politicians should “butt out” of the debate.

Keir Starmer also slapped down his Health Secretary for wading into the assisted dying debate.