Reaction split by MPs' assisted dying vote

MPs' historic vote to pave the way towards legalising assisted dying in England and Wales has been met with strong reaction.

Adam Alderson, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has terminal cancer and said he was "really pleased" the bill had passed.

Meanwhile, Humanists Against Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia head Kevin Yuill, from Durham, was "disappointed" about the results but said he was still hopeful the bill might eventually fail.

Friday's vote saw MPs back the bill, which would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their own life, by 330 votes to 275.

• Assisted dying bill: How did my MP vote?

It will now face many more months of debate and scrutiny by MPs and peers, who could choose to amend it, with the approval of both Houses of Parliament required before it becomes law.

Former tree surgeon Mr Alderson, who has a rare form of stomach cancer, said legalising assisted dying would give people a "choice" to end their lives without "months and months of pain and suffering".

The 45-year-old underwent two years of palliative care before a pioneering operation saved him from dying in 2015.

He said he had "great" care, but "there's only so much they can do".

Mr Alderson was told his cancer had returned earlier this year.

He said he had a few treatment choices, but if they did not work out, the legalisation of assisted dying would give him "options".

He said he had seen his mother die two years ago in severe pain.

"She was begging me at one point to end her life," he said.

"I think that was a case of my mum would have wanted to call it a day, but we couldn't do anything."

However, Dr Yuill said he worried if the bill became law, its conditions would only expand with time, such as in Canada.

"If you allow [assisted dying] for some people, it is very difficult to prevent other people from saying 'what about me?'" he said.

He said there had been concerns in Canada that some people had sought out assisted dying partly because they could not afford adequate housing.

His group aimed to discuss their worries with as many MPs involved in the bill's next stage as possible, he said.

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