Mrs Purdy lived with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for around 20 years

Debbie Purdy died on the 23rd of December 2014 after refusing food intermittently from December 2013 onwards. Mrs Purdy was a long-time activist campaigning for a change in the law relating to assisted suicide in the UK.

Mrs Purdy lived with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for around 20 years and began a campaign in 2008 to change the law on assisted suicide and to seek assurance that her husband would not be prosecuted were he to kill her.

Mrs Purdy's barrister Lord Pannick said of her, "I don't think I have represented a more energetic client in my professional career." [29 December, BBC news]

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