Dame Prue Leith goes up against her Tory MP son in euthanasia debate as she says the UK’s ‘dreadful’ laws should change – but he fears NHS doctors could use assisted dying to save money
Prue Leith slammed the UK’s ‘dreadful’ assisted dying laws on Good Morning Britain in a debate with her Tory MP son who opposes a change to legislation.
The Great British Bake Off host, 82, is fronting in a Channel 4 documentary on the subject of euthanasia with Danny Kruger, 48, which airs tonight.
Mother and son have diametrically opposing views on the subject, with Dame Prue in support of assisted dying, while her son stands against it.
The famous chef has said she would choose to die by euthanasia if she was unwell or in severe pain after watching her older brother David die in agony in 2012.
Speaking to ITV, Ms Leith said: ‘I still feel the law as it stands is dreadful for dying people. They often face a horrible death every year. And what choice do they have?
She added: ‘They can commit suicide which is perfectly legal, they can put up with it and just suffer or they can go to Switzerland which is expensive.
‘The law is not working and we should change it.’
Restaurateur and chef Dame Prue has had it written into her will that she would like to die by euthanasia while surrounded by friends and family if she is suffering, and if it is legal, after watching her brother David die and how his illness affected his wife and children.
David was diagnosed with bone cancer which left him in excruciating pain and screaming out in desperation between doses of morphine.
He was repeatedly moved from his home to hospital as he battled recurring bouts of pneumonia, which was treated with antibiotics each time.
The television star has filmed a Channel 4 documentary about assisted dying with her son Danny called Prue and Danny’s Death Road Trip.
They flew to America and Canada to learn about how assisted-death legislation had helped people end their lives in parts of the countries.
Restaurateur and chef Dame Prue has had it written into her will that she would like to die by euthanasia while surrounded by friends and family
Danny is concerned assisted dying could lead to coercion but Dame Prue says this is not the case in the US state of Oregon
The television star has filmed a Channel 4 documentary about assisted dying with her son Danny called Prue and Danny’s Death Road Trip
Danny is concerned assisted dying could lead to coercion but Dame Prue says this is not the case in the US state of Oregon where you have to be a terminally ill adult who is ‘mentally capable of making the decision’.
Politician Danny also believes medics would decide on ending lives to save the NHS money, claiming: ‘If the opportunity exists for an assisted death, doctors would be compelled to offer it and make it known that the offer was there.
‘The doctor might be doing it for humane motives, but they would also be aware that, if that route is taken for that patient, then resources are freed up for others.’
It comes after Dame Prue previously said opponents of legalising assisted dying are ‘scaremongering’.
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