Australia's Dr Death is coming to UK

Jeremy Laurance
Sunday 30 October 2011 23:49 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Dr Death is back. After an abortive attempt three years ago to instruct elderly and terminally ill Britons in how to end their lives, Dr Philip Nitschke is returning to the UK to host a series of seminars on DIY suicide methods.

The Australian pro-euthanasia campaigner plans to hold workshops in London, Edinburgh, York and the seaside town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, which boasts one of the highest populations of the elderly in the UK.

He is unlikely to be welcomed. On the last occasion he planned a similar series of seminars in Britain in 2008, local authorities refused permission for the meetings to go ahead.

Dr Nitschke, founder of the right-to-die organisation Exit International, campaigned succesfully to have an euthanasia law passed in Australia's Northern territory in 1996 and helped four patients end their lives before the law was overturned.

Sussex Police said someone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another" to commit suicide, could face prosecution.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in