UK MPs Reconsider Assisted Dying Bill After Safeguard Removal

Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the assisted dying bill in the UK, has proposed eliminating the requirement for High Court approval for assisted dying applications, replacing it with a commission of psychiatrists and social workers. This significant change has prompted concerns among MPs who previously supported the legislation, with at least 81 potentially reconsidering their votes. Critics, including members from the Conservative Party, argue that this alteration waters down essential safeguards designed to protect vulnerable individuals from coercion. Leadbeater insists that the new structure will enhance the bill's robustness, featuring a legal chair overseeing the expert panel. The bill had initially gained majority support, but the removal of judicial oversight has raised questions about its credibility and the legislative process. As the third reading approaches, the shifting dynamics may jeopardize the bill's passage.