Mr. Andrew Copson:

Certainly, I agree. The point about jurisdictions within these islands turning slowly their minds towards legal recognition is very true. Obviously, there is the Bill in Scotland. I regret that it limits itself to the terminally ill. In contrast, I very strongly support the proposal in Jersey which will come about in the next couple of years to give assisted dying to both the terminally ill and the incurably suffering. Of course, France is about to do the same. We will be surrounded by friendly liberal democratic jurisdictions which have taken the right principled steps in relation to this very soon.

I agree completely about the bravery, courage and selflessness of the campaigners, especially those who are suffering enormously themselves. Noel was an incredible man. Tony Nicklinson, who had locked-in syndrome, took his case all the way to the Supreme Court in the UK and had a ruling that found that the continuing denial of his right to a medically-assisted death was a breach of his human rights under the European Convention, which I think is worth this committee exploring further. There is a strong human rights case for assisted dying.