MS patient wins clarification on assisted suicide

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient Debbie Purdy has won a landmark appeal at the House of Lords, after she called for clarification of the law regarding assisted suicide.

Ms Purdy is currently considering going to Switzerland with her husband to end her life but fears he will face prosecution upon his return to the UK.

The 46-year-old is seeking assurance that Omar Puente will not be placed on trial if she does decide to take her own life.

At present, the maximum penalty for aiding and abetting suicide is 14 years in jail, although no one has been prosecuted in the UK under such circumstances.

At the House of Lords on Thursday, the law lords backed Ms Purdy’s calls for the current law to be clarified.

Speaking outside court yesterday, Ms Purdy said: “It’s fantastic, I feel like I have my life back.”

Following the ruling, the director of public prosecution must now state under what circumstances those who help friends and family members in assisted suicide can be prosecuted.