Locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson dies peacefully at home

Tony Nicklinson Credit: Emma Hallett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson, who lost his High Court battle last week for the legal right to end his life when he chooses with a doctor's help, has died in Wiltshire this morning of natural causes.

His lawyers released a short statement.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said the force would not be investigating his death:

Last week Tony Nicklinson said was devastated and disappointed after losing his High Court battle to have a doctor end his life without fear of prosecution.

Victory in the landmark right-to-die case would have altered the UK's murder laws.

Mr Nicklinson, who was left paralysed by a catastrophic stroke seven years ago, appealed for a change in law as he is unable to take his own life.

He wanted a doctor who gives him a fatal dose to have a "common law defence of necessity" against any possible murder charge.

But three judges at London's High Court unanimously agreed that it would be wrong for the court to depart from the long-established legal position that "voluntary euthanasia is murder, however understandable the motives may be".

Responding to the judgement last week, Mr Nicklinson,58, from Melksham in Wiltshire, tweeted:

The judges ruled that the current law did not breach human rights and it was for Parliament, not the courts, to decide whether it should be changed.

Shortly afterwards, Paul Bowen QC, representing Mr Nicklinson, confirmed - as expected - that he will appeal the High Court's ruling.

Less than an hour before the judges' verdict was announced, Mr Nicklinson's had family launched a petition to support his right to die.

People with locked-in syndrome are usually completely paralysed, and are unable to speak or move

  • Sufferers can think and reason and can generally move their eyes

  • The disorder can follow a traumatic brain injury, such as a massive stroke

  • Although there is no cure, therapy such as functional neuromuscular stimulation can sometimes benefit victims by activating some of the paralysed muscles