Labor MP Kim Leadbeater is under scrutiny for allegedly “coordinating” the assisted dying commission’s first meeting to secretly select expert witnesses. The meeting was mostly held behind closed doors after Leadbeater requested private discussions on the selection of experts. Opponent Danny Kruger criticized this decision, emphasizing the public’s right to understand the witness selection process, highlighting a potential bias given that 38 of 60 potential witnesses favored the bill. While Kruger argued for transparency, Leadbeater maintained that discussing specific individuals’ suitability was inappropriate and underscored the importance of balancing privacy with transparency.
Kim Leadbeater is accused of “coordinating” the assisted dying commission over an 11-hour bid to secretly select expert witnesses.
A Labor MP’s last-minute amendment was backed by committee members yesterday, meaning the majority of the meeting was held behind closed doors as it was its first meeting.
Leadbeater had filed a motion Monday night asking for a private discussion on which experts the committee would hear from in the coming weeks.
Danny Kruger, a leading opponent of the bill and a member of the committee scrutinizing it, opposed the move and said there was a “clear public interest” in decisions made in public. He said there is.
The Conservative MP said it was right for the public to understand why certain witnesses were chosen and others were not, adding: “And if there are concerns about a witness, they should be broadcast publicly. ” he added.
He went on to argue that there was an “inherent imbalance” among the experts expected to be convened, saying: “Of the 60 people who came forward to us, 38 were in favor of the bill and supported it. ” Regarding the principles of assisted dying.
But Ms Leadbeater said it would be inappropriate to discuss “named individuals” or their suitability as witnesses and that while transparency was important, “so was respect for the privacy of individuals”.
Kim Leadbeater (pictured) is accused of “coordinating” the assisted dying commission over an 11-hour bid to secretly select expert witnesses.
Danny Kruger (pictured), the bill’s main opponent and a member of the committee scrutinizing the bill, opposed the move and said decisions made in public “have no clear public interest. ” stated that there is
People protesting against the assisted dying bill outside Parliament House
Labor MPs said they were “very open” about how safeguards could be strengthened and said the number of expert witnesses expected to be called was “unprecedented for a private member’s bill”. added.
Last night, former home secretary James Cleverley expressed concern about the move, posting on X: “This does not reassure me that enacting good legislation is a priority for the bill sponsors.”
“We’ve seen this before. People get so focused on winning that they lose sight of the importance of balancing opinions.”
And Conservative MP Andrew Rossindell said: “I believed Kim Leadbetter when she assured me that the light of day had triumphed and that this bill would receive full public scrutiny.” Now I know that wasn’t true. ”
He added: “The bill should not proceed under these circumstances.”
The bill would allow terminally ill patients in England and Wales with less than six months to live to legally end their own lives, subject to the approval of two doctors and a High Court judge.
Yesterday’s committee meeting was aimed at agreeing dates for the coming months and deciding who will be called to give evidence to the committee.
Starting next week, the committee will hear oral evidence from medical and legal experts, and a line-by-line scrutiny of the bill will begin in February.