Assisted suicide amendment fails in House of Lords London, - A leading anti-euthanasia group has welcomed the failure of an amendment to allow assisted suicide.

SPUC Pro-Life tonight welcomed the withdrawal of Lord Alderdice's amendment to the Coroners and Justice bill.

The amendment was opposed by a majority of those Lords who spoke in the debate.

Anthony Ozimic of SPUC Pro-Life commented: "The idea of allowing assisted suicide was condemned tonight as discriminatory, highly dangerous and threatening. Lords were offended by Lord Alderdice's suggestion that coroners should decide who may live or die under his amendment. His amendment was described as 'dismal', a 'travesty' and surrounded by 'weasal words'. We congratulate those Lords who so firmly opposed the amendment, and the many members of the public who lobbied Lords prior to tonight's debate. The director of public prosecutions should read tonight's debate closely as he drafts his policy on prosecuting assisted suicide."