ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW TO CLEAR LOVED ONES.

Byline: JAMES LYONS

FAMILY and friends who help loved ones commit suicide will not face prosecution, under new rules published this week.

Assisting suicide will remain a criminal offence, but Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said helping out of compassion will not lead to charges.

Instead, prosecutors will look at whether those who help could gain from it and if the person has made up their own mind or been persuaded.

The guidelines, out on Wednesday, will effectively decriminalise assisted suicide, meaning terminally ill patients will no longer have to travel abroad.

Mr Starmer said he wanted to bring "clarity" to the law in England and Wales so people knew where they stood.

Multiple sclerosis victim Debbie Purdy, who won the right to know if her husband would face charges, welcomed it. She said: "It means that people like me can make a proper informed choice."

But minister Ed Balls urged extreme caution, warning elderly people might come under pressure to "do the right thing" and make it easier on families.

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WIN MS victim Debbie Purdy