Member

I am also concerned by the removal of the word “pressure”. The Select Committee heard evidence suggesting that pressure is significant, particularly for those with terminal illnesses suffering domestic abuse. Pressure, it seems to me, is a lower bar than coercion. That argument received much scrutiny and support in the Commons. It seems that we might be inadvertently lowering the protections in the Bill. Pressure and dishonesty remain part of the criminal law test in Clause 32. That inconsistency would mean that serious criminal offences that can result in life imprisonment are not part of the test that the High Court would apply to grant assisted dying. I would be grateful for clarification on that, particularly as the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, said to the Select Committee that the offence under Clause 32