Right-to-die supporters welcome shock U-turn by former Archbishop

Mr Lamb, left paralysed after a car accident in 1990, wants the law changed to allow doctors to assist patients to die.

Last night he said the debate was “moving in the right direction” after a shock U-turn by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey who said he would back legislation to allow the terminally ill in England and Wales to get help to end their lives.

Jane Nicklinson, whose husband Tony had locked-in syndrome and died almost two years ago aged 58, said she was “amazed and thrilled” at Lord Carey’s U-turn on the issue.

Lord Carey’s change in stance on whether to legalise assisted dying was, he said, inspired by Mr Nicklinson’s situation.

Mrs Nicklinson and Mr Lamb, from Leeds, lost a right-to-die fight in the UK’s highest court last month, but at the time said they were hopeful that change would come.

The Assisted Dying Bill is being debated in the House of Lords on Friday. It would make it legal for adults to be given assistance ending their own life if they have less than six months to live. Mr Lamb said the bill would not help his case as he is not terminally ill.

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