Both the First Minister and Health secretary of Scotland have expressed their opposition to the legalisation of assisted suicide [1] in Scotland.
Earlier this week, the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, said he was increasingly against the idea saying: “I feel even less persuaded after a recent discussion with the Glasgow Disability Alliance.
“They were incredibly strong in their opposition to assisted dying, given that they felt that they would be the ones, as they described it, that would be the thin end of the wedge when it came to assisted dying.”
Asked on Wednesday whether he supported the ‘assisted dying’ legislation, Health Secretary, Michael Matheson said: “No, I don’t. I’ve opposed it previously.
“It’s an issue which I’ve raised as a matter of personal conscience and it’s something which I continue to oppose.
“Because I don’t believe it’s society’s responsibility to make those decisions.”
He said such a law might put pressure on sick and disabled people to opt for ‘assisted dying’.