𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Peers will sit late in the House of Lords on Friday to allow more time to debate the assisted dying Bill. Supporters hope extending debates will allow members to get through the more than 1,000 amendments and reach a third reading.

Announcing the extra time, Lord Falconer said peers had “strongly expressed the view that it would be wrong and would significantly damage the reputation of this House if we failed to reach conclusions on the Bill” while discussing his motion for more time. He also warned against filibustering and urged colleagues to show “self-restraint” in speeches.

Lord Falconer said: “Following the passing of my motion, the chief whip has indicated to me that, the view of the House permitting, we can sit until 17:30 on this Friday, and 18:00 on remaining Fridays in order to finish debate on the remaining groupings.

“This may not be necessary if we make sufficient progress before then, which we can do so by working together and exercising self-restraint.”

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will only become law if both the Commons and the Lords agree on the legislation by the end of this parliamentary session, which is expected to fall in May.

Supporters fear a small number of hardline opponents is determined to frustrate the Bill’s progress by running down the clock.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of campaign group Dignity in Dying, said the decision to extend Friday sittings “reflects the clear will of the House to have the time needed to make progress on the Bill”.

She added: “As long-standing Bill opponent Baroness Butler-Sloss herself acknowledged, ‘the reputation of this House is at stake’ and ‘at the end of the day, we have to get it through.’

“The way forward is clear, and the time for continued, thorough scrutiny is now available.

“There are no more excuses for progress to be blocked by half a dozen unelected Peers. Their colleagues in the elected Chamber, and the public they serve, are watching.”