LOCKED-IN syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson's widow and a paralysed road accident victim yesterday pledged to continue their battle for a change in the law to give people who are physically unable to end their own lives the choice of a "dignified and humane" death.
Paul Lamb and Jane Nicklinson, whose husband died last August after losing a High Court bid to end his life with a doctor's help, spoke of their intention to take their case to the UK's highest court after appeal judges rejected the latest round of their fight over the legal ban on voluntary euthanasia.
After the Court of Appeal ruling yesterday, Mrs Nicklinson said in a statement: "As a family, we are hugely disappointed with the judgment but it will not stop us.
"We will carry on with the case for as long as we can so that others who find themselves in a position similar to Tony don't have to suffer as he did. Nobody deserves such cruelty."
Ex-builder and father-of-two Mr Lamb, 57, who wants a doctor to help him die in a dignified way, said he was "absolutely gutted" by the decision.
Speaking at his home in the Bramley area of Leeds, Mr Lamb said of the next move in the litigation to the Supreme Court: "I think they are in a better position to make a fair decision on this and I think the right decision is literally so people like me can have the independence to choose as and when to die and know full well that whoever helps has no chance of being prosecuted."
He said: "I believe you should have a right to die in the comfort of your own home with the right family and friends you want around you but in a very dignified manner."
Mr Lamb, who is immobile except for limited movement in his right hand and has been in significant pain since his accident in 1990, added: "No retreat, no surrender, is my motto with all of this."
The Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, sitting with Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson and Lord Justice Elias, said in a written ruling after a hearing in May the law "relating to assisting suicide cannot be changed by judicial decision".
Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC said: "While I respect the carefully considered judgment of the Court of Appeal, I think it would be sensible for the CPS, if possible, to have the benefit of the views of the Supreme Court before any amendments are made to the DPP's Guidelines in this important and sensitive area of the law."
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