SNP split on Assisted Dying as MSP declares support despite FM opposition

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Social Justice Secretary, said the issue is one that "touches the lives of people across the whole of Scotland".

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The SNP Government is split over Assisted Dying after a senior Cabinet minister announced she would vote in favour of the controversial legislation.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Social Justice Secretary, will support the Bill when it goes to a Stage One vote at Holyrood on Tuesday.

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It comes after John Swinney yesterday said he would vote against the legislation after "agonising" over his decision.

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The Assisted Dying for Terminally Adults (Scotland) Bill has been brought forward by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur. It aims to allow those at the advanced stage of a terminal illness to seek help to end their life.

MSPs will be given a free vote - meaning they will not be expected to follow a party line - when the issue is debated next week.

If the Bill passes at Stage One, there will be further scrutiny of the legislation by Holyrood committees before it proceeds to a Stage Two vote later in the year.

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Somerville, the MSP for Dunfermline, said the issue is one that "touches the lives of people across the whole of Scotland".

"Over the past few weeks and months, I have heard from many constituents who have shared their personal experiences," she told the Courier. "This is not a decision I have taken lightly."

The MSP added she wanted to make sure "enforceable protections" are in place for vulnerable patients who could be coerced into ending their own lives.

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Somerville did not vote on either of the two previous occasions in 2010 and 2015 when Assisted Dying bills were previously considered at Holyrood.

Swinney voted against the move on both occasions. Speaking to reporters yesterday, the First Minister said he had not changed his mind.

"I have come to the conclusion I cannot support the Bill and will be voting against it on Tuesday," he said. "I have thought about the issue in principle, do I think it is appropriate for us to have provision in law for assisted dying?

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"I have come to the conclusion in principle I don’t think we should have that. That is my individual view.”

McArthur’s Bill aims to allow those at the advanced stage of a terminal illness to seek help to end their life, but if it fails to win a majority in Tuesday’s vote it will not proceed any further.

Swinney paid tribute to Mr McArthur, saying his “careful and diligent work” had led to a “much better Bill” than previous attempts.

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But the First Minister said he is concerned backing such legislation would “fundamentally alter” the relationship between doctors and their patients “in an irrevocable and detrimental fashion”.

He also said: “I am concerned that those who are vulnerable in our society, and those who may consider themselves a burden to their families or to the state, may feel undue pressure to end their life prematurely.

“I can see no means of avoiding such a situation emerging in relation to the Bill.”

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The First Minister also raised concerns that the courts could later expand the scope of the legislation beyond “the intentions of Parliament” – something he said would be an “undesirable situation”.

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