“A multiple sclerosis sufferer who wants her husband to help her die has accused the Director of Public Prosecutions of ‘ cowardice’ for refusing to clarify the law on assisted suicide. Debbie Purdy hit out at Sir Ken Macdonald for failing to make clear under what circumstances someone would be charged for aiding the death of a terminally ill person.

When asked why she thought prosecution guidelines were unclear, Miss Purdy, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, said: ‘I think it’s cowardice to be perfectly honest. It’s the last taboo.’ The 45-year-old, who was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1995, said she hopes to travel to Switzerland or Belgium, where assisted suicide is legal, to end her own life when her pain becomes unbearable.

However, she is concerned that if her Cuban husband Omar Puente helps her to travel, he might be prosecuted. Under the 1961 Suicide Act, the crime is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Miss Purdy yesterday launched a landmark legal case at the High Court in an attempt to force the Crown Prosecution Service to spell out exactly what actions would be taken.”

(via The Daily Mail)