A TERMINALLY-ILL 17-year-old has become the first juvenile to be helped to die in Belgium under rules allowing euthanasia for all ages.

Two years ago, Belgium became the first country in the world to allow euthanasia for minors of any age. The patient must be in the final stages of a terminal illness and it requires parental consent and the approval of two doctors, including a psychiatrist.

The case, which was reported by the chair of Belgium's Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia, Wim Distelmans, is believed to be the first involving a minor since the rule change.

Last year MSPs rejected an assisted suicide bill which would have allowed Scots over the age of 16 to seek the help of a doctor to end their own life.

Tom Davies, spokesman for Dignity in Dying, which campaigns to legalise assisted suicide, said he did not envisage it ever being permitted for children under that age in the UK.

However Alastair Thompson, spokesman for Care Not Killing, which opposes euthanasia, said the law in Belgium was “a warning” to UK about what could happen if legislation banning assisted suicide and euthanasia is changed.