The final debate in the House of Lords on the assisted dying bill is happening now, follow along as we bring you the latest lines.
The bill passed the House of Commons in June last year, but there has been so many amendments tabled in the Lords – more than 1,280 – that it appears doomed to fail given there is not enough time to review them all before the end of this parliamentary session, expected next week.
Former justice secretary Charlie Falconer, who sponsored the Bill in the Lords, opened the proceedings today, saying: “I am despondent that this bill, so important to so many, has not failed on its merits, but failed as a result of procedural wrangling.
“There is no prospect that this bill can get through the House today or before prorogation ahead of the king’s speech on 13 May.”
