Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead will vote in favour of The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill

Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead will vote in favour of the assisted dying bill in the Scottish parliament.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was brought forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur and will be debated in Holyrood on Tuesday, May 13.

If it is successful, it would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life.

This is stage one of the bill, meaning that, even if it passes, the bill will have to progress through several amendment stages before it can be passed via a final vote and become an Act.

Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead confirmed he will be voting in favour of the bill - in contrast to his party leader John Swinney, who has said he will vote against it.

Mr Lochhead has previously voted in favour of assisted dying on two occasions, when the issue was brought to Parliament in 2010 and 2015.

Those proposals were both defeated at stage one - although this year’s vote is expected to be closer than ever.

Mr Lochhead MSP said: “I will be voting in favour of assisted dying because I believe that we all deserve to live our lives with dignity and autonomy, and I believe these principles also apply at the end of our lives too.

“There are circumstances where it is wrong in my view to prolong the life of someone against their wishes, where they are terminally ill, and request assistance to end their suffering.

“I very much appreciate that many people hold strong views on this matter on both sides of the debate.

“The opinions of my constituents are extremely important to me and I am grateful to all those have taken the time to send me their own views on this sensitive issue.

“Since the bill was tabled in September 2022 I have been contacted by constituents across Moray, with the vast majority agreeing that terminally ill adults in Scotland should have the option to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life.

“I am also aware that the short call for views on this attracted nearly 14,000 responses with 75% expressing support for the proposals.

“I read some of deeply personal and emotional responses from individuals in Moray and from across Scotland who have been in touch to share details of their own experience.

“While I support assisted dying, I agree there must still be robust safeguards in place that address valid concerns raised by professionals and that we also need high quality palliative care available to ensure those with terminal illnesses are able to decide what is best for them.”