Lawyer warns against assisted dying bill, citing risks of 'death clinics' in UK

Dame Caroline Swift, the lead lawyer from the Harold Shipman inquiry, opposes a bill to legalize assisted dying. She warns it could lead to "death clinics" and erode safeguards meant to protect patients, similar to past failures in issuing cremation certificates. The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults to seek assistance in ending their lives, requiring verification from two doctors and a High Court judge. Swift argues that financial incentives for hospitals and doctors could influence decisions on assisted deaths. The bill is set for a vote in Parliament, with significant division within the Labour Party. Some MPs express concerns about the potential risks and flaws in the legislation, emphasizing the need for improved palliative care instead.