Dame Esther Rantzen has campaigned for assisted dying reforms (Image: Getty)
Assisted dying laws will not be reformed for at least 18 months under Keir Starmer in a huge blow for campaigners.
Dame Esther Rantzen pushed the demands for reform to the top of the agenda after revealing last year that she joined the Swiss Dignitas clinic.
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The Daily Express helped to secure a landmark debate in parliament when more than 200,000 people signed our online petition.
It triggered an emotional Westminster Hall discussion that lasted for almost three hours.
Campaigners say the intervention by Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, "lit a rocket under this vital conversation".
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Assisted dying reform was last voted on in the Commons in 2015, when it was defeated at second reading by 330 votes to 118.
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Sir Keir Starmer previously suggested that any potential law change should come through a Private Member's Bill and a conscience vote by MPs.
But critics say it would be “the wrong mechanism” as more time would be needed to scrutinise any new legislation.
The new Prime Minister said he had other priorities for his first 12 months in the job, which means that by the time legislation had passed through parliament it would be at least another six months.
He said: “What I said was that we would provide time for this, obviously, by way of a private members bill , and there will be a free vote, that remains my position.
“Having probably got more experience than most people, having personally looked at tens of cases in my time as Director of Public Prosecutions.
“As to the timing of it, I haven’t made a commitment on timing and I don’t want to.
“I’m not going back on the commitment I made, but we have got to set out priorities for the first year or so, but I will double down on the commitment, we will allow time for a private members bill, and there will be a free vote.”
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Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
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In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences.
The Daily Express Give Us Our Last Rights crusade was launched in early 2022.
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