JAIL THREAT IN ASSISTED DYING BILL

'Duty to die' still huge concern

- DAVE BURKE

A LONG-awaited bill to legalise assisted suicide will include lengthy jail terms for those who coerce someone to end their lives, it was confirmed last night.

MPs get their first chance to read the proposed legislation today.

If passed, it will allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to choose to end their lives.

Two doctors would have to be satisfied a person is eligible.

A High Court judge would have to agree.

At least two weeks would then have to pass before the patient could be helped to end their life, unless there are exceptional circumstances, the bill says.