Bradford campaigner awaits verdict

The Bradford MS Sufferer won her seven year legal battle last year after five Law Lords unanimously backed her call for a policy statement from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the circumstances in which a person might face prosecution for helping a loved one end their life abroad at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

Today Keir Starmer QC, of the DPP, will publish full guidance on when prosecutions for assisted suicide should be brought.

Mrs Purdy said: “I cannot open childproof caps or push tablets out of a blister pack so I could not kill myself without help, although I suppose I could suffocate myself.

“Knowing there is going to be some clarity given means I do not have to do anything. Neither will thousands of others.

“I would never do anything that put the liberty of my husband at risk. This anno-uncement will give clarity and I believe many people will not end their life when they do not need to.”

Mrs Purdy remains positive about Mr Starmer’s announcement.

She added: “Named after Labour founder, Keir Hardie, I believe he was raised in an environment where openness and transparency was important. He cannot make a new law, but he can change an old one.”

Mrs Purdy stressed she was not suggesting a law should be introduced allowing anyone to commit suicide with help, but for people with chronic illnesses when their life becomes unbearable.

Gordon Brown has warned against legalising assisted suicide.

Mr Brown said: “Let us be clear: death as an option, and an entitlement, via whatever bureaucratic processes a change in the law on assisted suicide might devise, would fundamentally change the way we think about death.”

Mr Starmer outlined interim guidelines last September. Factors in favour of a prosecution included that the victim was under 18 and did not ask personally on his or her own initiative for the assistance of the suspect.

And factors against included that the victim had a clear, settled and informed wish to commit suicide.