Assisted dying bill passes by 23 votes

MPs have narrowly voted in favour of the assisted dying bill, paving the way for the terminally ill in England and Wales to choose assisted dying. But a Labour peer has reportedly claimed some MPs admitted that while unhappy with the bill, they would vote it through and leave it to the Lords for thorough scrutiny.

The bill was passed with a majority of just 23, slashing the majority of 55 at the first vote last November by almost half. Since then, several amendments that would have increased safeguards within the bill have been rejected.

Under the draft bill as it now stands, a "qualifying individual" – someone with less than six months to live and has mental capacity – would be able to select assisted dying simply because they feel a burden to their family; they feel they’re a burden on public services; because they have depression or are suicidal; or simply for financial reasons.