Assisted suicide: questions and answers

By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent Published: 4:41PM GMT twenty-five February 2010

Has the law on self-murder changed?

No. What has altered is the superintendence since to Crown Prosecution Service lawyers who confirm possibly charging someone who assists a self-murder is in the open interest.

Assisted suicide: ground a key factor, says tip counsel Purdy welcomes assisted self-murder discipline Assisted self-murder mustn"t be legalized by the behind doorway It"s Debbie Purdy, not Brown, who lacks apply oneself Purdy criticises Brown over assisted self-murder Record numbers of Britons finished their lives at Dignitas last year

Why has the superintendence changed?

After multiform cases where judges questioned CPS decisions to move charges opposite people who helped desired ones to die, the Law Lords corroborated a box by Debbie Purdy, who is terminally ill and wants the CPS to give her father allege report about possibly he will be charged if he helps her finish her life.

Does this meant assisted self-murder has been decriminalised by the behind door?

Mr Starmer says it does not. He insists that the law still prohibits assisted suicide, and says he has usually rested the superintendence to prosecutors on when they should move charges.

Does this meant fewer people who assistance others to die will be charged?

Mr Starmer says there is no approach to know what the effect will be since particular cases will go on to be judged on their own merits. But right-to-die campaigners together with Mrs Purdy contend the discipline are a feat for their case.

Will groups similar to Dignitas right away be means to work in England and Wales?

Almost positively not. The discipline have transparent that someone who assists a self-murder as piece of an organization set up for that role is some-more expected to be charged

What does this meant for people who physically finish someone elses hold up as a "mercy killing"?

Nothing. The new manners cover usually cases of suicide, where the plant themselves carries out the action that ends their life. Ending someone elses hold up is still legally deliberate to be possibly attempted murder or killing and will be treated with colour accordingly.