Sturgeon not persuaded by assisted suicide legislation

Scotland’s First Minister has said she is “not convinced” by new legislation to allow assisted suicide.

Speaking in an interview the Scottish Catholic Observer, Nicola Sturgeon said she believed the priority should be to help people live.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I voted against it the last time and, although we are not near another vote yet, I haven’t been convinced about assisted suicide this time.

“I believe we should support people to live and I am therefore in favour of good quality palliative care.

“There also remains a major stumbling block to assisted suicide: How could you have sufficient safeguards?”

Holyrood’s Health Committee is due to report on the The Assisted Suicide Bill which would assist those with terminal or life-shortening illnesses to obtain help in ending their lives.

The Bill, which contains safeguards aimed at preventing abuse of the legislation, was brought forward by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died last year after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.