Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Anneliese Dodds and Simon Opher

Friday 16th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Anneliese Dodds]

Yes, I do share my hon. Friend’s concern in that regard. Sadly, we all know how perpetrators of coercion operate. They will often school the subject of their coercion in how to respond to questioning, to try to hide what they are doing from others. That is a concern.

[Dr Opher]

Does my right hon. Friend not see that, in Committee, we were very aware of coercion? That is one of the reasons why we have a social worker on the panel of experts. Additionally, clause 1(2)(b) says it will be necessary to establish that a person

“has made the decision that they wish to end their own life voluntarily and has not been coerced or pressured by any other person”.

It is very clear in the Bill.

[Anneliese Dodds]

I very much appreciate my hon. Friend’s efforts, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley, to ensure that these matters were covered in Committee. Sadly, because of the patterns of behaviour that we see time and again with those who have been subject to coercion, I do not believe that the safeguards go far enough. That is my assessment, and I know that other Members will come to a different view.