The MSP hoping to make assisted dying legal in Scotland has said he is "confident" colleagues will back his bill, following a historic vote in Westminster. Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur said the Commons debate had "shown the UK Parliament at its best", with a bill to legalise the measure in England and Wales passing its first stage on Friday.

The MSP behind plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has expressed confidence that Holyrood will follow Westminster by backing the controversial change. Liam McArthur said he was “delighted” that the House of Commons had approved Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading.

The MSP behind the Scottish Bill to introduce assisted dying said he is “delighted” after similar legislation passed its first hurdle at Westminster. MPs voted 330 to 275 on Friday to approve Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading.

The Liberal Democrat MSP told the Hospice UK conference he wants to see assisted dying ‘seamlessly integrated’ into end-of-life care.

Palliative care expert Nancy Preston said interest increased during the pandemic, when people witnessed the sorts of deaths they want to avoid for themselves.

The bill applies to those who are at least 18 years old, have received a terminal diagnosis and have no more than six months to live. Two doctors and a judge would have to give their approval, and fatal drugs would need to be self-administered.

The UK's House of Commons has voted in favour of assisted dying in an historic first that could lead to people being granted the freedom to end their lives.

British lawmakers have voted to allow assisted dying, a move set to make the UK one of a small handful of countries to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.