MP abuse worse than in Jo Cox era, says sister Kim Leadbeater

In November, MPs backed Leadbeater’s bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales by 330 to 275 in a free vote – meaning MPs were allowed to vote with their conscience, rather than following party orders.

It was the first Commons vote on the issue in nearly a decade and paved the way to a monumental shift in the law.

Leadbeater said she was “under no illusion how big a deal this is”.

“We will take oral evidence from over 50 witnesses, which is highly, highly unusual for a private members bill,” she said.

This week, the first stages of line-by-line scrutiny of the bill sparked heated debate, with accusations of bias towards pro-assisted dying voices.

But Leadbeater argued she had taken “a really open approach” to the bill, welcoming amendments.

“It is upsetting and disappointing sometimes to people who are suggesting otherwise – because we’ve got to get this right,” she said.

“It is not just about passing the law, it’s about passing good law that achieves what we are trying to achieve but does not create other problems and takes into account everybody’s views.”

The bill’s committee will begin its first oral evidence session on 28 January.

There are still many months of parliamentary activity ahead, and the bill must pass votes in both the Commons and Lords before the proposed changes can become law.