Leadbeater selects MPs for assisted dying bill committee

Kim Leadbeater has selected the MPs responsible for detailed scrutiny of the assisted dying bill.

Made up of 14 supporters, including two ministers; nine opponents and senior voices from both sides of the debate, the committee will review the legislation line-by-line and suggest amendments before it goes any further.

Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the bill, said the committee has the right balance and experience "to give the bill the detailed scrutiny it deserves and requires".

MPs backed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would give people in England and Wales in certain circumstances the right to choose to end their own life, by 330 votes to 275 on 29 November.

The committee is made up of:

Unusually, the bill's committee includes double the standard number of ministers - with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock and Justice Minister Sarah Sackman both appearing.

Leadbeater said two ministers joining the committee reflects "the level of engagement and commitment that such an important piece of legislation demands".

The MPs will decide how much time to spend going through the bill. But it is expected to sit for up to two days a week for several weeks from the second half of January.

They will hold public hearings with experts invited to give evidence before proposing amendments to the bill.

Those behind the bill hope to have the committee process finished in time for it to return to the House of Commons on 25 April.

It is at that stage when all MPs will have a chance to debate and vote on the changes proposed by the committee.

Some of those opposed to the bill say they have hired former government special advisors to try and "professionalise" their campaign, believing they were too disorganised at the last vote.

They believe there are enough MPs who supported the bill initially, but could be persuaded to change their minds.

But supporters point out the majority of 55 in favour at the last vote was more than they expected and meant they were confident the bill would pass its remaining stages in Parliament.