Pratchett defends assisted suicide film

In the BBC Two film, the 63-year-old writer, who has Alzheimer’s, went to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to see the man take a lethal dose of barbiturates.

Asked why he wanted to make the film, the Discworld author told BBC Breakfast: “Because I was appalled at the current situation. I know that assisted dying is practised in at least three places in Europe and also in the United States.

“The Government here has always turned its back on it and I was ashamed that British people had to drag themselves to Switzerland, at considerable cost, in order to get the services that they were hoping for.”

The film, In Choosing To Die, followed Peter Smedley, 71, from his mansion in Guernsey to the Dignitas clinic, which over the last 12 years has helped 1,100 people to die.

Sir Terry said: “Peter wanted to show the world what was happening and why he was doing it.”

Sir Terry described the moments after Mr Smedley took the poison, saying he was struck by the “incongruity” of the situation.

“He said to me ‘Have a good life’. And then he shook (my PA) Rob’s hand and said ‘Have a good life, I know I have’.

“And then he started thanking the members of the crew while he was dying and was embarrassed at the end because he couldn’t remember the name of the sound man.

“And you think ‘How British is this?’

But anti-euthanasia campaigners have complained about the film’s portrayal of assisted suicide. Alistair Thompson, a spokesman for the Care Not Killing Alliance pressure group, said: “This is pro-assisted suicide propaganda loosely dressed up as a documentary.”

The BBC has denied it had any bias in the public debate over the issue.