MPs opposing an ‘assisted dying’ bill have launched a rearguard action to toughen up safeguarding measures in the draft legislation and avoid a “stitch-up”. The aim of the bill is to allow those within six months of death to kill themselves with a lethal drug given to them by a doctor.

Senior Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat figures who voted against the landmark bill last Friday are demanding to be included in the group of MPs responsible for considering potential amendments.

They have written to Kim Leadbeater, the Labour backbencher whose bill passed its first parliamentary hurdle with a majority of 55 at the second reading stage.

In a bid to keep up pressure on the issue, opponents of the bill have urged Leadbeater to appoint eight leading critics to the committee that will scrutinise the bill over the coming five months. Among those who want to be included are Rachael Maskell, a former Labour shadow minister, and Tory MP, Danny Kruger, who was the first to speak against Leadbeater’s bill in last Friday’s debate.

The public bill committee will call witnesses, ask for written evidence and go through the bill line by line, making space on it hotly contested by those seeking to toughen up the legislation.