More protections have been added to assisted dying bill, says Kim Leadbeater

Campaigners in support of the bill outside the Palace of Westminster in London before the debate. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA

The bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people in England and Wales will be strengthened and made more workable by proposed changes, Kim Leadbeater, the MP behind the legislation, has said.

As the House of Commons prepared to debate amendments, Leadbeater said fresh protections had been introduced to allow a further check on applications for assisted dying, and ensure doctors and others were able to opt out of involvement in the process.