Paralysed man calls for inquiry into assisted suicide law

A man who has been paralysed for 30 years has had his legal challenge over assisted dying laws rejected by the Court of Appeal.

Paul Lamb, 65, has been paralysed from the neck down since 1990, after being involved in a major car accident.

Mr. Lamb has had a series of cases rejected by the courts, after seeking the right to choose when he ends his life.

After arguing that the ban on assisted suicide breaches his human rights, Mr. Lamb, from Leeds, penned an open letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.
In the letter, he said: “I cannot understand, in a civilised society like ours, why I should be forced to suffer when millions of people around the world already have the choice I asked for."

Humanists UK's chief executive, Andrew Copson, said: "We are disappointed that the courts have yet again failed to challenge one of the most unethical laws in our country. It is time for MPs to confront the compelling evidence favouring assisted dying, and for the government to help by issuing a long-overdue inquiry."

The Ministry of Justice has said that any law changes around assisted suicide would have to be looked at by MPs.

Janet Hawthorne, Legal Director of Iodem, commented: “In order for parliament to move forward with this crucial issue, it requires access to comprehensive, robust, independent evidence-based conclusions from all stakeholders involved in this difficult area.”

Mrs. Hawthorne continued: “A public inquiry could give the public confidence that a transparent process of evaluation of all the issues – moral, medical and legal – have taken place.”