Campaigners have gathered outside the UK Parliament to make final appeals for and against euthanasia as MPs prepare for a crucial vote.
Depending on the outcome of Friday's vote, legalisation could move a step closer to England and Wales.
The outcome will be that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will either be passed by the Commons and referred to the Lords, or rejected outright. The latter option could mean the issue will not be heard at Westminster for ten years.
Dying campaigners make final plea to UK MPs ahead of crucial vote />
The relatively narrow 55-vote majority achieved in November's historic “yes” vote means every vote will count on Friday.
The bill will be rejected if 28 MPs switch from voting “yes” to voting “no”, but only if all other MPs vote the same as in November, including those who abstained.
Supporters and opponents of the bill gathered in Westminster early on Friday morning, holding placards reading “Give us a choice” and “Don't turn doctors into murderers”.
Ahead of the vote, four Labour MPs confirmed they would switch sides and oppose the proposed new law, in a move that would be seen as a blow to the bill.
Paul Foster, Jonathan Hinder, Marcus Campbell-Savours and Kanishka Narayan have written to fellow MPs raising concerns about the safety of the proposed bill.
They described it as “significantly weakened”, citing the removal of protection for High Court judges as the main reason.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
