ESTHER'S HOPE AS KEY VOTE BACKS LAW CHANGE ON ASSISTED DYING

DAME Esther Rantzen's bid to change the law on assisted dying has the backing of England's first Citizens' Jury.

- Hanna Geissler

A clear 71% majority supported the change. Dame Esther, who has terminal lung cancer, said: "I only hope our lawmakers will read the careful conclusions of the Citizens' Jury, respect them and follow their recommendations." The project, led by the respected Nuffield Council on Bioethics, assembled 30 people representing the nation's diverse population.

In seven meetings over eight weeks, they spent 24 hours hearing evidence and discussing if the law should change. Their conclusion, to legalise assisted dying, will further pressure the Government to hold a free vote and let MPs debate the issue for the first time in almost a decade.

Dame Esther, 84 - who has been a leading voice in the campaign since she revealed her diagnosis - said: "This verdict confirms what other surveys have also revealed, that the vast majority of the public believe the law on assisted dying urgently needs reform."

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the campaign body Dignity in Dying, said it was now"inarguable that the public wants this reform to happen". She added: "People are demanding choice at the end of life.

When people are given time to look at this issue in depth, examine all the evidence and hear different perspectives they continue to overwhelmingly support change."