Judgment has been reserved in a case brought by a severely disabled man with "locked-in syndrome" who has urged a judge not to halt his High Court action to let a doctor end his life. Tony Nicklinson, 57, of Melksham, Wiltshire, wants a doctor to be able to "lawfully" conduct an assisted suicide.
Two senior judges ruled it would be “manifestly unjust” to stop them helping him prepare a legal challenge to the law on assisted suicide – even if doing so could assist his suicide, which would be illegal. Once a keen sportsman, the man – known only as “Martin” for legal reasons – was left almost completely paralysed by a massive stroke three years ago.
Decision due on whether man with 'locked-in syndrome' can proceed with his case to allow a doctor to end his life A high court judge is to rule on whether a case brought by a man with "locked-in syndrome" who wants his "suffering to end" should be allowed to proceed. Mr Justice Charles, sitting in London, has been asked to decide on an application by the Ministry of Justice that Tony Nicklinson's action should be struck out.
Tony Nicklinson, paralysed below the neck and unable to speak, cannot have a doctor end his life, court rules Two victims of locked-in syndrome, including Tony Nicklinson who has sought to be able to end his "dull, miserable, demeaning, undignified and intolerable" life, have lost their high court battle to die with medical help.
The Divisional Court's judgment in the cases of Tony Nicklinson and 'Martin' is awash with statements that it is for parliament alone to legalise assisted dying. However, there is little appetite for statutory legalisation in Westminster. Meanwhile, Tony and Martin are condemned to live against their wishes.
Two severely disabled men will go to the Court of Appeal later to try to change laws governing the right to die. Paul Lamb, from Leeds, was paralysed from the neck down in a car accident and wants a doctor to help him to die. The 58-year-old, who has taken up the case begun by the late Tony Nicklinson, is seeking a ruling that would give doctors a defence to a murder charge. The other man, known only as Martin, is seeking a change to the prosecution of assisted suicide.