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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE - 1st July 2005

"JIGGERY-POKERY" AT BMA ANNUAL MEETING

Doctors' group criticises "stage management" for assisted-death decision

Commenting on the vote for neutrality on the issue of doctor-assisted suicide at the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association yesterday Dr. Mary Knowles, chair of FIRST DO NO HARM, said today:

"'The whole debate on Thursday was stage-managed. On Tuesday in an open debate speakers were two to one against assisted suicide. By Thursday, when votes were taken, 53% were for neutrality, but many delegates had gone home. There wasn't a quorum, but standing orders had been suspended, so the management got away with it.

"Jiggery-pokery and dubious procedures have overturned a 2000-year tradition of medical ethics. When this sort of thing starts to happen, the public should be warned."

Dr. Mary Knowles

For further information please contact Dr. Knowles by calling 020 7730 3059