Widow continues
with tragic father’s
right-to-die battle

Jane Nicklinson said she would appeal against a High Court decision made over her late husband because “nobody should have to suffer like Tony did”.

Mr Nicklinson, 58, died a week after he lost his legal bid to end his life when he chose with a doctor’s help.

The father of two had been refusing food and contracted pneumonia after he was left “crestfallen” by the court’s decision. He died at his home surrounded by family on August 22.

Jane Nicklinson, 56, said she hoped his campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying would continue in his memory.

She has decided to lodge an appeal herself as his wife and carer. The British Humanist Association has also applied to intervene in the case.

Mrs Nicklinson, from Melksham, Wiltshire, said: “I am delighted that I am able to continue what Tony started. I feel very strongly that this issue should be addressed.

“It is too late for Tony but I hope that we can now help those who find themselves in a similar position. Nobody should have to suffer like he did.”

Mr Nicklinson was a keen sportsman until he was paralysed by a stroke in 2005.

The family’s solicitor, Saimo Chahal, from Bindmans LLP, added: “Jane’s application to take Tony’s place in the claim is a strong and compelling one.

“It is evident from recent polls that around 70 per cent of the public consider that there should be a change in the law in this area. The case has very wide public significance which should be considered by the Court of Appeal and if necessary by the Supreme Court.”

Lord Justice Toulson, Mr Justice Royce and Mrs Justice Macur unanimously agreed it would be wrong to depart from the legal position that “voluntary euthanasia is murder”.

They said doctors and solicitors who encouraged or assisted another person to commit suicide were “at real risk of prosecution”.