The debate over assisted dying has long raised its head in Scotland, with Holyrood twice considering introducing a bill to make it law.

The first bill was brought forward by independent MSP Margo MacDonald during her long battle with Parkinson’s disease, while Green MSP Patrick Harvie picked up the baton after her death. However, both failed to attract enough support to proceed through the Scottish Parliament, and the issue has yet to return to the chamber to any significant degree.

Those who back assisted dying say it hands people control over the end of their lives, and is a fundamental human right.

But those who are opposed, which includes faith groups that provide care for thousands of people reaching the end of their lives, insist it risks robbing people of dignity in death. 

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the campaign group Dignity In Dying, which released the final video message from Richard Selley before his assisted suicide, hopes his words rekindle the debate. 

She said: “Richard and his wife Elaine have shown immense bravery and dignity in sharing their story and speaking out about the injustice they have both suffered under the UK’s outdated, broken law in their final weeks together.”

The last time MSPs looked at the issue was in 2015, the same year Mr Selley was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and Green MSP Patrick Harvie believes it is time lawmakers looked at assisted dying again.

He said: “Public opinion has been consistently ahead of Parliament on this and, as more MSPs consider the issues and see how various systems work in other countries, I have little doubt that politics will eventually catch up with public support. I hope that comes sooner rather than later.

“Most people can clearly see the injustice in the current situation, which gives choice and control only to those with the money to pay to travel abroad. 
“Even then, the timing of their decision can be dictated by when they believe they may lose the physical ability to travel.”

Since 2015, a cross-party group of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament has continued to work on the issue of end-of-life choices, examining options and their ethics. 

Group convener Michelle Ballantyne, Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has come to the conclusion the law needs to be changed. 

She said: “Cases like Richard’s shine a light on how the current laws on assisted dying are not fit for purpose. 

“The Cross-Party Group on End of Life Choices has been working hard for years to find ways forward and make assisted dying laws fairer for people who find themselves facing the challenge of life-limiting degenerative conditions. 

“We shouldn’t be forcing people to travel to other countries to be able to end their life on their own terms.

“Scotland has to show itself to be a forward-facing and compassionate nation and take the first steps in legalising assisted dying. The status quo is not acceptable.”

John Deighan, CEO of the world’s oldest pro-life group, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (Scotland), expressed deep concerns about any move to legalise assisted dying. 

He said: “It is a tragedy that any society would offer suicide to a suffering person as an alternative to proper medical care. True compassion supports and helps; it does not kill.

“It is for very good reasons that human rights laws have strengthened the duties on governments to protect the lives of their citizens. Care and compassion are rightly at the heart of our health service – they should never be displaced by systems of deliberate killing.”

This view is backed by both of Scotland’s main faith groups, with a spokesman for the Church of Scotland saying:  “The Church of Scotland has been actively engaged in the debate around assisted dying legislation.  

“The General Assembly has considered the question on a number of occasions and has consistently resolved to oppose legislation. 

“Such legislation carries implications for the whole of society and for attitudes towards many aspects of health and social care.”

A Catholic Church spokesman said: “Our resolve as individuals and as a society is undoubtedly tested in the face of real suffering and despair. 

“We must prioritise care, companionship and compassion at all stages of life.

“Legalising assisted suicide or euthanasia declares that there is such a thing as a life not worthy to be lived – it is a dangerous statement for lawmakers to make. We should be preventing suicide, not assisting it.”

The Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government respects the will of the Scottish Parliament on assisted dying, and is committed to ensuring that everyone has dignity and respect at the end of their life.”