The issue of assisted dying has split Scottish politics and society. A Bill to give people the right to end their own life is going through Holyrood, led by Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney.
He proposed to enable competent adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their request with assistance to end their life. A vote at Holyrood could see Scotland become the first in the UK to adopt the controversial option to end life early for people of sound mind who are close to death and suffering immense pain.
Under his plan, two doctors would have to independently confirm the person meets the criteria and the individual would have to sign a written declaration. Mr McArthur said: “The Bill I intend to bring to the Scottish Parliament will have strong safeguards and seek to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults only.”
