Draft legislation proposed by the late Margo MacDonald to permit assisted suicide in Scotland has been thrown out by MSPs.
The Assisted Suicide Bill was rejected following its first full parliamentary debate after members raised concerns about both the spirit and the letter.
Although polling has shown majority support among Scots for allowing assisted suicide, the legislation was defeated by 82 votes to 36. It is the second time such measures have failed to get on to the statute book. The last time Ms MacDonald herself, who had Parkinson’s disease, fought for it to become law.
Patrick Harvie, the co-convener of the Scottish Green party, took charge of the second bill after the independent MSP’s death. Last night, after it was voted down, he called