Keir Starmer reaffirms his commitment to Esther Rantzen in the vote on assisted suicide

The Prime Minister said he gave Childline’s founder – who has terminal cancer – his word on the matter earlier this year before moving into 10 Downing Street and that he “meant it”.

Dame Esther last week urged the Labour leader to keep his promise of a parliamentary debate on the current “cruel” law.

Reporters asked him whether there would be a vote on assisted suicide in the House of Commons before Christmas.

He said: “I gave her my word that we would take time to do this with a bill from a Member and I repeat that commitment.”

“I told her personally and I meant it, and that’s what we will do.”

Labour’s Jake Richards had previously signalled his intention to introduce an MP’s bill after securing one of the first 20 places to introduce a proposal in the House of Commons.

Sir Keir said that if a bill was introduced, “we will not block it by debating it or using other manoeuvres that are sometimes used”.

He added: “I have given my word on what we will do and I will stick to it. It will be a free vote, but I repeat the commitment I gave to Esther Rantzen on this.”

Sir Keir had previously stated that he was “personally in favour of changing the law” and had already supported a change in the last vote in the House of Commons nine years ago.

When asked again whether he supported this, he replied: “I will look at the legislation first. In principle, I think there are good reasons for changing the law.”

However, he said he wanted to see what safety precautions would be proposed.

Speaking to Sky News last week, Dame Esther said: “Please, Sir Keir, remember our conversation and let’s take the time to do it. It really is a matter of life and death.”

She said she had reminded the prime minister “just gently, you know, not bossily, just calmly”.

She asked if he could “perhaps remember your kind words to me and make them come true?”

In England and Wales, assisting in the termination of life is currently a criminal offence.

Former Labour Justice Minister Lord Falconer of Thoroton has introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill in the House of Lords, which is expected to be the subject of a debate in mid-November.

Last week it was announced that a majority of members of a so-called citizens’ jury were of the opinion that assisted suicide should be legal in England.

28 jury members cast a final vote, and 20 voted in favor of changing the law after eight weeks of deliberation.

Alleviating pain and restoring human dignity were among the main reasons for support, although it was stressed that anyone using an assisted suicide service must be terminally ill and capable of making the decision to end life.

Opponents of a change in the law argue that euthanasia could pressure vulnerable people to end their lives because they fear becoming a financial, emotional or nursing burden. Disabled people, the elderly, the sick or those suffering from depression are particularly at risk.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity In Dying, said: “The Prime Minister could not be clearer that he will keep his promise to Dame Esther Rantzen – and the British people – to take time to ensure that a Bill on assisted dying can be fully and fairly debated and freely voted on.”

“With MPs from across the political spectrum having a genuine interest in tackling this issue and bringing about assisted suicide legislation for this country, it is vital that a bill tabled by an MP receives the time, attention and scrutiny it needs in Parliament.”