SUPPORT for legalising assisted suicide in Scotland has risen since the death of the popular MSP who championed the law change, an analysis of a public consultation has found.
Three-quarters of responses to a consultation on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill undertaken by Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee backed the proposed legislation, the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign group said.
The Bill was introduced by independent MSP Margo MacDonald, and Green MSP Patrick Harvie took it over after her death in April. Of 830 individual submissions, 79 per cent were in favour. When the 70 responses from groups and organisations were factored in, the total fell to 75 per cent. A previous poll put support for the Bill at 69 per cent.
Opponents have argued the law change would be dangerous and unethical, with people potentially being pressurised into ending their lives.
Shelia Duffy, spokeswoman for My Life, My Death, My Choice, said: "Politicians are lagging behind the public on this issue and need to take action to catch up."
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