Jane Nicklinson backs new health minister over assisted suicide

Jane Nicklinson – whose husband, Tony, sought assistance to lawfully end his "intolerable" life – has backed new health minister Anna Soubry in her call to help people take their own lives. Soubry said last week that it was "ridiculous and appalling" that Britons had to "go abroad to end their life" when suffering from terminal or seriously debilitating conditions. Assisted suicide carries a sentence of up to 14 years' imprisonment. Yesterday Mrs Nicklinson said she welcomed Soubry's willingness to "stick her neck out". However, in a Sky News interview she added that reforms that restricted assisted suicide to the terminally ill would not be sufficient. "We're pleased that she has come forward and said this. It does open the debate even more, having an MP who's willing to stick her neck out and actually support assisted suicide. But we would like it to be a step further." Tony Nicklinson died a week after he lost his legal bid to end his life with a doctor's help, but Mrs Nicklinson is continuing with the case. She said she had been told there was a "compelling" legal argument for her to be able to continue the case – which she said had been one-sided – and take it to appeal. However, Lady Hollins, the president of the British Medical Association, said the medical profession remained opposed to any change in the law and criticised moves to reopen the debate. "It has been debated so many times in parliament and each time those advocating a change in the law have been very soundly defeated. The medical profession do not support a change in the law."