MPs who previously supported the UK’s assisted dying bill have announced that they will change their vote after a major safeguard was ditched from the proposed legislation.

The bill’s author, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, announced she would drop the requirement for a High Court judge to adjudicate ‘assisted dying’ requests, and instead use a commission of psychiatrists and social workers to approve applications.

The dramatic move has already changed the perspective of some MPs.

Reform’s Rupert Lowe had already indicated that he would be voting against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at third reading, having been unconvinced by the committee-stage scrutiny of the bill after initially voting in favour.

Now his party colleague Lee Anderson has joined him in opposing the legislation.

Liberal Democrat grandee Alistair Carmichael had also backed the bill at second reading, but is now rethinking his support.

Meanwhile, The Independent understands that a further 140 MPs who voted in favour are now in play to change their votes. The bill passed the second-reading stage with a majority of 55, and only 28 would need to change their minds for it to fail.