Scotland’s First Minister to Vote Against Assisted Suicide

John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, has confirmed that he will vote against a proposal to legalise assisted suicide.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Mr Swinney said that he would vote against Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, which will come before MSPs next Tuesday, 13 May.

Mr Swinney, who said that his Christian faith played a part in his decision, warned that the Bill, if passed, would “fundamentally alter” the relationship between doctors and patients, and said that he was concerned “vulnerable” Scots “who may consider themselves a burden to their families or the state – may feel undue pressure to end their life prematurely”.

The First Minister also warned there could be court cases that “could see the provisions of the Bill extended to take in other, broader circumstances that would extend the intentions of Parliament”.

Former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has also confirmed that he will vote against the Bill, citing the lack of “strong enough safeguards to prevent coercion against the most vulnerable in our society, particularly disabled people.”

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has already revealed that he is “yet to be convinced” of the case for assisted suicide, and will vote against the Bill.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, reacted to the First Minister’s announcement, saying: “I warmly welcome the First Minister’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable from the existential threat of assisted suicide and upholding the dignity of life by deciding to vote against Liam McArthur’s Bill. I hope that fellow parliamentarians will follow his lead.”