Supporters of Scotland’s assisted dying bill frustrated by lack of backing from Labour MSPs

The Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who tabled the bill, said he was ‘devastated’ it was defeated. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

Supporters of Scotland’s assisted dying bill have said they are frustrated a significant majority of Labour MSPs voted against the proposals, despite Labour’s substantial support for the measure at Westminster.

The Scottish bill was defeated in a late night free vote at Holyrood on Tuesday, five years after it was first proposed and a year after it was first tabled, by a larger than expected 12-vote margin.