Debate is now ongoing as Scotland’s controversial assisted suicide bill is approaching its final vote at Holyrood. Now, more than ever, concern is mounting about coercion, domestic abuse, and the strength of its safeguards.
MSPs are currently debating more than 300 amendments to Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill ahead of a decisive Stage 3 vote expected later this month. While the bill passed its first parliamentary stage last year by 70 votes to 56, a series of developments in recent weeks has cast doubt over whether it will ultimately secure enough support to become law.
One of the most striking interventions has come from new polling suggesting widespread public concern about the risks the legislation could pose to vulnerable people.
According to a survey conducted by Whitestone Insights between February 24 and March 3, almost seven in ten Scots (68%) are concerned that victims of domestic abuse could feel pressured into ending their lives if assisted suicide were legalised.
Concern was even higher among younger respondents, with 83% of those aged 18–24 expressing worry about the potential for abuse, while more than half of respondents agreed that victims of domestic abuse could be pressured into choosing assisted suicide.
The polling also found that a clear majority of respondents lack confidence in the bill’s safeguards. Fifty-eight per cent said existing systems would not reliably detect coercion in assisted suicide cases, compared with just 17% who believed the safeguards would be sufficient.
Domestic abuse experts have warned that the bill could unintentionally place vulnerable women at greater risk. Dr Anni Donaldson, an honorary research fellow at the University of Strathclyde, said abusive partners could exploit the law to pressure terminally ill women.
“Regularly demeaned and told they are worthless and would be better off dead, their abusers’ words will weigh heavily on the minds of terminally ill women,” she said, warning that assisted suicide legislation could become “a potentially lethal weapon” in abusive relationships.
Meanwhile, several MSPs who previously backed the bill have begun to withdraw their support as concerns about coercion and safeguards grow.
According to reports in The Herald, SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll and SNP MSP Collette Stevenson have both reversed their earlier positions, with Stevenson saying she was “not convinced that coercion can be realistically identified or prevented in vulnerable individuals.”
In addition, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has also announced that he will now oppose the legislation, despite previously voting in favour of its general principles.
Findlay said he had three major concerns: the risk of coercion, the possibility that the law could be expanded through future court challenges, and insufficient protection for medical professionals who conscientiously object to taking part.
“The risks are too great for this bill to become law,” he said.
Some political observers have suggested Findlay’s reversal may also reflect broader pressure within the Conservative Party. UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been critical of assisted suicide proposals, and it has been speculated that her stance may have influenced opposition within the Scottish party.
Despite these concerns, the bill’s sponsor Liam McArthur continues to press ahead with amendments aimed at securing passage. However, one proposed change has itself sparked controversy.
In response to concerns about coercion, McArthur has tabled an amendment reducing the maximum jail sentence for coercing someone into assisted suicide at summary level from two years to twelve months.
Critics argue that weakening penalties for coercion at precisely the moment concerns about pressure on vulnerable people are intensifying only adds to doubts about the robustness of the legislation.
With MSPs now preparing for marathon parliamentary sessions to debate the remaining amendments, the bill appears to be approaching a dramatic crescendo. What once looked like a relatively comfortable majority has narrowed significantly, and the final outcome now appears far from certain.
Speaking on the situation SPUC’s Public Policy Manager, Alithea Williams, has said: “It is clear that there are still massive concerns with this Bill. MSPs debating this week should take note of the very serious warnings from experts on the impact this legislation will have on vulnerable people. However, Mr McArthur’s move to reduce the penalty for coercion indicates that he is not taking these risks seriously.
“The result is on a knife edge, so it is very important that supporters in Scotland keep engaging with their MSPs, and drawing this new evidence to their attention.”
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