The broadcaster, who has long advocated for a right to assisted dying, urged all political parties to commit to a free vote in the next parliament to change the law. He spoke as MPs prepare to publish a report into assisted dying tomorrow amid polling showing three-quarters of the public support legalisation within strict guidelines.
Dimbleby, who is a friend of King Charles, said the current laws were as "anachronistically cruel as capital punishment".
He said it was "distressing to see Nick finding himself gradually unable to speak, to have to be carried everywhere, to have to be physically cared for in every respect", adding: "The law should be changed so that individuals like my brother, protected by crucial legal safeguards, would have the right to die at home at a moment of their choice."
A campaign for change in the law has been growing. In December, the broadcaster Esther Rantzen announced she had joined the Swiss assisted dying 7 organisation Dignitas after being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said "there are grounds for changing the law" and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, last month said it was "something that does need to be debated".
In Scotland a bill proposing the legalisation of assisted dying is expected to be introduced for debate in the devolved parliament this year.
In October, the Isle of Man parliament backed a proposal to allow terminally ill, mentally competent resident adults to choose an assisted death.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin February 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin February 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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