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For immediate release
15th November 2001

THE LAW LORDS AND DIANE PRETTY

Andy Berry, who lives with disability, commented today (l5th November):

"The Law Lords have just finished considering the request of Mrs. Diane Pretty to have her 'suicide assisted' by her husband, which is against the law.

"A key issue, it appeared from today's hearing, is that their Lordships need to decide whether Mrs. Pretty is 'vulnerable', and therefore in need of protection, or whether her right to autonomy is paramount.

"We feel that by the very nature of her situation, Mrs. Pretty is vulnerable.

"Their Lordships were not presented with a definition of vulnerability.

"We consider this is a major failing, and it seems it is one that could determine the outcome of the appeal.

"We would define a vulnerable person as someone who is liable to be exploited; someone who is open to abuse, not just physical but emotional; someone under pressure, financial or otherwise; someone who feels powerless; someone with ill health, disability, frailty, old age, or indeed just gentle personality.

"Vulnerability need not be a permanent state.

"We would suggest that people with severe disability or terminal illness are extremely vulnerable. For anyone to kill or help to kill Mrs. Pretty would be to set a terrifying example."

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