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19/02/2009
MS Sufferer Loses Assisted Suicide Appeal Case
A multiple sclerosis sufferer has lost her Appeal Court case to get the law on assisted suicide clarified.
Debbie Purdy, 45, wanted to know if her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to help her die.
However, three appeal judges ruled Ms Purdy was not legally entitled to the kind of specific guidance she is seeking.
The 45-year-old, from Undercliffe, Bradford, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1995 and can no longer walk.
In England and Wales, aiding and abetting suicide is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The High Court ruled the Code of Practice for Crown Prosecutions already issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, coupled with the general safeguards of administrative law, satisfied human rights laws and provided the necessary clarity.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other appeal judges, Lord Justice Lloyd and Lord Justice Ward, ruled that further official guidance is not necessary.
They said: "Not withstanding our sympathy for the dreadful predicament in which Ms Purdy and Mr Puente find themselves, this appeal must be dismissed."
Ms Purdy claims however, that the law is unclear and unless it is made more obvious, she could be forced into travelling earlier because her Cuban violinist husband would not be able to assist her without risking imprisonment.
Ms Purdy says she is "disappointed and shocked" at their decision.
(JM/BMcC)
Debbie Purdy, 45, wanted to know if her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to help her die.
However, three appeal judges ruled Ms Purdy was not legally entitled to the kind of specific guidance she is seeking.
The 45-year-old, from Undercliffe, Bradford, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1995 and can no longer walk.
In England and Wales, aiding and abetting suicide is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The High Court ruled the Code of Practice for Crown Prosecutions already issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, coupled with the general safeguards of administrative law, satisfied human rights laws and provided the necessary clarity.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other appeal judges, Lord Justice Lloyd and Lord Justice Ward, ruled that further official guidance is not necessary.
They said: "Not withstanding our sympathy for the dreadful predicament in which Ms Purdy and Mr Puente find themselves, this appeal must be dismissed."
Ms Purdy claims however, that the law is unclear and unless it is made more obvious, she could be forced into travelling earlier because her Cuban violinist husband would not be able to assist her without risking imprisonment.
Ms Purdy says she is "disappointed and shocked" at their decision.
(JM/BMcC)
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