In a recent development, Tanni Grey-Thompson, known for her achievements in Paralympic sports and her advocacy for disability rights, revealed that she has been targeted by aggressive emails, accusing her of being accountable for individuals suffering and passing away in distress due to her opposition to the assisted dying bill. As a cross-bench peer, Grey-Thompson is expected to speak at the second reading of the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, which seeks to enable terminally ill individuals in England and Wales to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Grey-Thompson, a Paralympic champion and stalwart in disability rights, acknowledged the profound impact of her mother’s death from cancer, which has influenced her perspective on end-of-life care. She emphasized the importance of focusing on improving specialist palliative care and understanding people’s strong opinions on the matter. Despite the receipt of abusive emails, Grey-Thompson stated that holding a role in the House of Lords comes with the expectation of disagreement and criticism.
The assisted dying bill, narrowly passed by MPs in June, has garnered significant attention in the Lords, with almost 200 peers expressing interest in speaking. Its path forward remains uncertain, with the possibility of it running out of parliamentary time. Supporters hope to see the bill implemented within the current session, although it wouldn’t take effect for four years.
Steering the bill through the Lords is former lord chancellor Charlie Falconer, who believes it contains adequate safeguards and is optimistic about its passage. Falconer dismissed concerns about intentional obstruction and stated a willingness to consider any proposed additions by peers.
Supporters, including broadcaster Esther Rantzen and Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, have urged peers to support the bill without procedural obstacles. Grey-Thompson intends to propose amendments aimed at enhancing protections, expressing concerns about potential coercion and the bill’s impact on the doctor-patient relationship. She advocates for a thorough and calm discussion, stressing the importance of not legislating based on emotion.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/08/tanni-grey-thompson-received-abusive-emails-over-opposition-to-assisted-dying-bill
