Esther Rantzen reacts after MPs vote against legalising assisted dying

• MPs have voted against legalising assisted dying in England and Wales , rejecting the proposed legislation by 286 votes to 270.
• Terminally ill campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen described the decision as a tragic day, expressing sadness that people in the UK will not have the choices available in other countries.
• The draft bill would have allowed adults with less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death with authorisation from two doctors and a specialist panel.
• Dame Esther, who joined the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, previously stated she is now too physically fragile to travel abroad to end her life.
• Sponsoring Labour MP Lauren Edwards called the vote heartbreaking, while opponents welcomed the result, citing concerns over inadequate safeguards for vulnerable individuals.

IN FULL

Dame Esther Rantzen says it is a ‘tragic day’ after assisted dying bill is rejected