A daughter has spoken of her anger that “nothing has changed” in 10 years after her dad tragically died from locked-in syndrome.
Tony Nicklinson, 58, from Wiltshire, fought a high-profile High Court battle for the right to die after a stroke left him left paralysed from the neck down and unable to speak.
The former engineer could only communicate via blinking and described his life with the condition as a “living nightmare”.
But judges ruled it was for Parliament to decide if Britain’s blanket ban on assisted dying should change.
Tony tragically contracted pneumonia and died on August 22, 2012, aged 58 - after refusing food and treatment.
Speaking on the 10-year anniversary of his death, his daughter Lauren said she thinks her dad would be “angry” and “disappointed” that laws have still not changed.
She said: “The last 10 years should have allowed politicians to drive change and give people who are incurably suffering the dignified end they may choose.
“Yet nothing has changed.
“We don’t want dad’s suffering to be forgotten; the last seven years of his life were a living nightmare for him, and the thought of what he went through would be more bearable if we can attach some meaning to his suffering.
“So please don’t forget about Tony Nicklinson and all that he stood for - autonomy, bravery, passion and determination.
"And help us secure the change in the law that would have given him the death he deserved.”
Calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying, Trevor Moore, chair of My Death, My Decision, added: “Ten years on from brave Tony’s Nicklinson’s death, his ambition of a compassionate assisted dying law for this country has yet to be achieved.
“He demanded that someone who was not terminally ill, but suffering unbearably from an incurable condition, should be able to call on help to die.
"The Supreme Court told him it was for Parliament to decide. But so far our politicians have ignored overwhelming public opinion – and, increasingly, that of health practitioners - in support of a law.
“They do not seem to realise that they are protracting unnecessary suffering.
"That is why we call on the Justice Secretary to set up a Parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying as soon as possible.
“Only then can decision-makers hear and test the evidence for and against – especially from those countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand that already have a law.
"After 10 years, we owe it to Tony’s family to carry forward his powerful legacy and end this grave social injustice.”
