The right to die case.

[Emmielu]

I'm not sure how many of you saw the documentary or read in the papers about a man called Tony (i cant remember his last name) with locked in syndrome after a bad stroke. He went to court to fight for the law to be changed so that assisted suicide isnt seen as murder. Does anyone know what the outcome was or has nothing been concluded yet?

I think this is just the start of a very long process which could end up in the Supreme Court - and possibly result in a change in legislation. There won't be a decision in the current court proceedings immediately (it was still being heard today).

He's Tony Nicklinson and there is another man who cannot be named for legal reasons.

I really cannot see why anyone has the right to force the poor man to continue to endure a life he finds a living torment. Suicide hasn't been a crime for decades. Assisting someone who is unable to commit suicide on their own shouldn't be a crime either - where that person has clearly and unambiguously expressed their wishes.

Thats the right name edam! My mum pointed something out to me which i think is a very good point. She said: He is a very smart man & he should have the right to die whilst his mental capability is still with him. If he looses everything in respect of even thinking the way he does now, he has no hope of getting his wishes. Its bad enough he cant have any of this in writing, so whilst hes still able to think for himself, give him the right. The stroke has stripped away all his independence but its definately not stripped away his rights. & this right should be given to him. He's obviously thought about it for a long time.

I know one of his daughters - there is unlikley to be a decsion until at least the end of July - the case has been running for a couple of year now. I will let the family know that they have supporters on this web site. I saw a very good post from an MP who put `surley we are sophisticted enough to have a system that allows Tony to do what we wants to without it affecting other more venerable people'.

I support the campaign, but find it alarming that the only campaigns we ever see about disabled people (I am one) are either 'triumph' (cycling to Italy with terminal cancer) or 'tragedy' (right to die). Never 'right to accessible housing', for example. A disabled conceptual artist sat in thestreet in a wheelchair with a sign 'help me fly to die' and a bucket; collected £loads and no questions. Obv she'd need to die

Really hope she spent all the money she raised on fags and wine and chocolate

I agree with Julia that coverage of disabled people tends to be sensational, unfortunately. But I also think that this poor man should be allowed to die. I read an interview with him in today's Observer (based on questions readers tweeted to him) and he makes an impressive case. A life like that must be a permanent torture.

hackmum - thats very true. I feel sorry for him. He doesn't want a life like that. How many people can be put through what he is going through & honestly say they want to carry on like that? I know i couldn't. I think he's brave to admit he's had enough now. I just hope he gets what he wants.

Fair point Julia. But this man should be allowed his right to commit suicide.