LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Labour MPs Critique Kim Leadbeater's Handling of Assisted Dying Legislation
Internal dissent within the Labour Party grows over the assisted dying bill as four MPs express concerns about the committee's evidence collection and portrayal.
07 February 2025 · 06:20 UTC
The MPs, including Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Antonia Bance, James Frith, and Jess Asato, condemned what they perceive as a biased representation of the evidence, suggesting it favored voices supportive of the bill while lacking diverse expert perspectives, particularly on issues like coercive control.
This critique was shared in a mass email sent to Labour colleagues, escalating internal tensions surrounding the bill.
The Labour MPs noted their concerns about the committee's evidence collection process, contributing to a broader debate on the viability of the bill as it moves forward.
Proponents of assisted dying from various parties have also expressed unease as multiple colleagues reconsider their support in light of increasing divides on the committee.
Sources indicate that there may be a substantial reduction in parliamentary backing for the bill, with predictions of around 30 MPs potentially withdrawing support during subsequent votes.
The committee is reportedly facing pressure from a “toxic” social media environment, with several members highlighting the backlash faced by those who provided evidence during public hearings.
This has raised alarms about the potential impact on the bill's support base.
As of now, more than 200 amendments have been submitted to the legislation, which had previously passed with a majority of 55 votes in November.
Some committee members expressed concerns over the limited time available to engage with the amendments adequately.
Leadbeater has introduced government-drafted amendments, reflecting an intention to strengthen the bill while the government maintains a neutral stance on the issue.
Key points of contention within the committee involve the role of the High Court in requests for assisted deaths and whether the bill's applicability should extend to individuals with neurodegenerative illnesses.
A prominent supporter, Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, has suggested revising the requirement of High Court approval to instead involve an expert panel that would include a social worker and a psychiatrist.
Conversely, some committee members remain apprehensive about this adjustment and advocate for the High Court's continued involvement.
Earlier in the discussions, former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption argued against requiring High Court oversight, stating that such a measure is generally more time-consuming without providing substantial safeguards.
Leadbeater has committed to maintaining a judicial component in the bill’s scrutiny process, which some critics view as an indication of her openness to modifications.
An alternative amendment proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon seeks to enable individuals with neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson's disease, to access assisted dying provisions with a prognosis of 12 months to live, expanding the current regulations that focus solely on terminal illnesses with a six-month timeline.
This proposal has gained some support from Labour and Green MPs, yet Leadbeater has previously dismissed the notion of such changes.
The procedure adopted by the committee has faced scrutiny, with Jesse Norman, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, stating that the structure inadequately addresses critical queries related to the bill.
He accused the government of not properly supporting a fair examination of the legislation.
Lucy Powell, the Commons Leader, countered that the committee's composition appropriately reflects the overall support for the bill, commending Leadbeater for creating a precedent by publicly collecting expert evidence.
Powell further emphasized the government’s duty to ensure any legislative outcome is functional and implementable.