A new legal opinion by Tom Cross KC, commissioned by The Christian Institute, warns that Scotland’s proposed assisted suicide legislation discriminates against people with certain disabilities, particularly those whose conditions include suicidal ideation. Cross argues that the bill could violate the European Convention on Human Rights by putting vulnerable disabled individuals at greater risk and failing to adequately safeguard them. He cautions that the bill’s current form is legally vulnerable and urges Parliament to address these issues before it becomes law, rather than adopting a “wait and see” approach.
The criticism has gained traction among some Scottish politicians, including MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy and First Minister John Swinney, who have expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on disabled people’s equality and human rights. The bill is still under amendment in the Scottish Parliament, with a vote expected in 2026, while a similar assisted dying law is progressing through Westminster. The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director Simon Calvert emphasized that the bill’s failure to assess whether a wish to die stems from a disability-related condition is a fundamental flaw that should prompt urgent reconsideration by lawmakers.
