SLIPPERY SLOPE
Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson urges MPs to block assisted dying legislation
A professor has warned legalising assisted dying for the terminally ill would be extended to the disabled and even children
PARALYMPIC legend Tanni Grey-Thompson has issued a late plea to MPs not to back the assisted dying bill.
The 11-time gold medallist has supported a report warning of a “slippery slope” that could result from legalisation.
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She said changing the law will affect how we care for people at their most vulnerable — and is “really worried about the safeguards”.
The former wheelchair racer made the intervention ahead of a historic Commons vote on November 29.
Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “The bill is wide open and saying, ‘Vote it through on principle and decide the detail later’ is dangerous.”
She added: “I urge Parliamentarians to understand the significance of proposed changes and the seismic shift it would cause to the way we choose to care for people at their most vulnerable.
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“A change to this law would fundamentally alter the political and societal landscape for disabled people.”
She was joined by Tory Baron Kevin Shinkwin, who has brittle bone disease.
He warned disabled people will become “targets by default”.
He added: “We should not be in any doubt. The stakes could not be higher.”
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Dr John Keown, a professor of Christian ethics, claimed that legalising assisted dying for the terminally ill would be extended to the chronically ill, mentally ill, disabled and even children.
He wrote the report by think-tank Policy Exchange that also warns of the unintended consequences of legislation.
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"It points to Canada, where people have used the scheme to end their lives due to reasons such as poor medical care or social issues.
The charge to legalise assisted dying here is being led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater but it has divided PM Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has suggested the proposal could lead to cuts in other NHS services.
MPs will have a free vote on the matter, meaning their parties will not tell them what to do.
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