Kendall confirms support for assisted dying bill as row grows over law change

Liz Kendall has become the first cabinet minister to confirm she will vote for the assisted dying bill since it was published, as the row intensified over the proposed law change.

- Peter Walker, Jessica Elgot, Pippa Crerar

Some supporters of assisted dying have expressed anger after Wes Streeting, the health secretary and an opponent of the plan, warned it could be a potential drain on NHS resources.

Asked if she would support the private member's bill, led by Labour's Kim Leadbeater and published on Monday, Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, told the BBC: "Yes, I will be voting for the bill.

"I've always believed in giving people as much choice and control as possible, and with all the right safeguards which this bill has, I believe it's a really important step forward on such a difficult issue, giving people that choice and control."

While Keir Starmer has warned cabinet members not to intervene in the debate, under rules set out last month by Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, they can give previously stated views if directly asked, but "should exercise discretion" and not directly participate in the debate.

Other cabinet ministers had, however, confirmed earlier that they support the bill, including Peter Kyle, Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy, Lucy Powell and Jo Stevens.