Furious row over role of religion in assisted dying debate tears Labour apart with ‘offensive’ mudslinging
A ROW over the role of religion in the assisted dying debate has escalated ahead of the historic vote on Friday.
Top Labour politicians have accused one another of “offensive” mud-slinging.
Christian MP Rachael Maskell hit out at grandee Lord Falconer after he accused Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood of imposing her religious beliefs on others.
Ms Mahmood, who is Muslim, had written to her constituents to clarify her strong stance against assisted dying.
Lord Falconer, who backs the move, said: “I think Shabana is motivated — and I respect this — by her religious beliefs.
“They shouldn’t be imposed on everybody else.” Ms Maskell yesterday said he should apologise for the “offensive and discriminatory” remark.
She urged MPs to vote against the Bill on Friday, insisting there is “nothing safe” about the legislation.
It comes amid claims the outcome could be very close.
Home Office Minister Jess Phillips defended Ms Mahmood’s letter — despite supporting the move — saying it is OK for MPs to be guided by a religious “moral code”.
Ms Phillips said: “Shabana will make her decision on a matter of conscience, exactly like I will.”
Think tank More In Common has found two thirds of voters support the concept.
Only seven Parliamentary constituencies have majorities opposed to the Bill.
All have higher than average populations with religious views, mostly Muslim.
Q&A ON FRIDAY’S CRUCIAL VOTE
WHAT is happening?
MPs will have a free vote on a Private Members’ Bill, introduced by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, to give terminally ill adults in England and Wales the right to an early death.
MPs can vote with their conscience rather than on party lines.
If the vote passes, it will proceed to committee and report stages in the Commons, where MPs will get the chance to scrutinise the legislation and table amendments.
How does the bill work?
People will be permitted to end their life if they are aged over 18; mentally fit to make a free and informed choice; uninfluenced by others; expected to die within six months; have made two declarations, witnessed and signed, expressing a desire to die; and received sign-off from two independent doctors and a High Court judge.
The Bill makes it illegal to coerce a terminally ill person to die.
Who is worried and why?
Critics are afraid that the most vulnerable in society — such as the elderly or those with a disability — could be pressured to end their lives early.
How will people die if the Bill passes?
An individual who meets all the criteria set out in the Bill would have to wait at least 14 days after they receive a judge’s sign-off.
A doctor could then prepare a substance to end their life, but the person must take it themselves.