Daily Express assisted dying petition surges to top of MPs' list as vote looms - sign here

By Hanna Geissler, Daily Express Health Editor

Rebecca Wilcox, Esther Rantzen's daughter with reporter Hanna Geissler (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)

It is backed by campaign group Dignity in Dying and Dame Esther Rantzen, who revealed in December that she had registered with Dignitas following a diagnosis of stage four lung cancer.

Launched in January, the petition urges ministers to allocate Parliamentary time for assisted dying to be fully debated in the House of Commons and to give MPs a free vote on the issue.

It says: “Terminally ill people who are mentally sound and near the end of their lives should not suffer unbearably against their will.

“We believe dying people in the UK should have the option of requesting medical assistance to end their lives with dignity, through a safe and compassionate system with strict eligibility criteria and safeguards.

“Without this, too many are taking matters into their own hands with tragic consequences. The Daily Express and Dignity in Dying support Dame Esther Rantzen's call for a free vote. The time has come to Give Us Our Last Rights.”

The petition has already secured a Parliamentary debate after passing 100,000 signatures, which will see MPs from all sides come together to discuss their views in Westminster Hall on Monday April 29.

You can join our fight and add your signature here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/653593