THE Earl of Glasgow, Patrick Boyle, says he hopes that the assisted dying bill will be voted through at the House of Commons after long campaigning on the move in the House of Lords.

Lord Glasgow, who lives in Kelburn Castle, south of Largs, has been campaigning on the matter for many years, and told the News he is pleased that it has reached this stage.

If the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill for England and Wales becomes law, it would give people, in certain circumstances, the right to die at a time of their choosing.

Scotland is also considering a change in the law on the same matter.

MSPs are currently examining legislation which would allow people diagnosed with a terminal illness the right to an assisted death.

The Bill - which has yet to be voted on - has been put forward by Scottish Lib Dems MSP Liam McArthur.

Lord Glasgow, who is a Liberal Democrat peer, says he is keeping a close eye on the situation south of the border with MPs set to decide on Friday in the House of Commons.

The 85-year-old said: "It has reached this stage three times before and been thrown out by the Commons, whereas we have passed it in Lords on several occasions.

Lord Glasgow has been outspoken on the matter, and believes strongly in Assisted Dying Bill and allowing people the power to choose Lord Glasgow has been outspoken on the matter, and believes strongly in Assisted Dying Bill and allowing people the power to choose (Image: Chris McAndrew)

"It is very important. With somebody who is in a state where they are very ill and unhappy, a lot of people would like the opportunity to choose end their life as they see no future in going on with pain which is physical and affects you mentally.

"I think that the tide is gradually turning. People who are getting no pleasure out of life and living through chronic pain should be allowed the opportunity to choose.

"It is an emotive issue and people who are against it are worried that some could exploit it in order to get money, but I think it is fairly easy to put safeguards in around that kind of thing.

"Most people would like to see their parents or relations to live as long as possible but is it right that people should go through chronic pain for much longer than they need to? This is why a number of people are going to Dignitas in Switzerland and that shows you there is a great need.

"When you are going to die, surely it is right that it is in your own home with your family around you and not to go off to a strange country. I think if you take the emotion out of the argument it makes much more sense.

"Why keep people alive if they are going through chronic pain and no longer feel the need to go on?"

The legislation will require two independent doctors to determine whether the person satisfies the criteria to take their own life. A judge will also take evidence from at least one doctor, and could also question the terminally ill person before allowing self-administration of the medication.

UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, says that the proposed changes would create a “slippery slope to death on demand”.

 Mahmood said the most significant risk of introducing assisted dying is "the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves" to end their lives sooner.

Another high profile critic of the change to the law is former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has urged MPs to vote against the changes, and said: "I see life as a gift - I see it as something to be valued."

The bill, which would allow some terminally ill people to have a medically assisted death, is to be debated by MPs on Friday, before a free vote takes place.