Right-to-die fight at Supreme Court

It's day two of a Supreme Court hearing into the appeal by the widow of locked-in-syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson, from Melksham, who campaigned for a doctor to be allowed to help him to end his life.

The Ministry of Justice argues any such changes are matters for MPs.

David Perry QC, the barrister for Ministry of Justice says changes to the law on assisted suicide are for Parliament, and not the courts, to decide:-

The widow of a right-to-die campaigner from Wiltshire is at the Supreme Court in London for a second day to continue his legal battle.

Tony Nicklinson from Melksham died naturally after living for years with locked-in syndrome. His wife Jane is carrying on his campaign to protect doctors from prosecution if they help someone end their life.

A widow from Wiltshire who wants judges to allow doctors to help disabled people to die was "hopeful" as she took her battle to the UK's highest court.

Jane Nicklinson from Melksham, whose late husband Tony suffered locked-in syndrome, wants the Supreme Court to make a right-to-die ruling.

Nine Supreme Court justices are sitting at the four-day hearing in London - although they are not expected to announce any decisions until next year.

The widow of a Wiltshire man is going to the Supreme Court in London this week to continue his right-to-die legal battle.

Tony Nicklinson from Melksham lived for years with locked-in syndrome. He died naturally after losing a High Court fight for doctors to end his life. A subsequent Appeal Court challenge also failed.

The family of locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson have lost their right-to-die challenge at the Court of Appeal.

Mr Nicklinson from Melksham died naturally - a week after losing his High Court bid to end his life with a doctor's help.

His widow Jane continued his battle for a change in the law. Despite her disappointment at today's ruling she says she will fight on.

Rebecca Broxton reports:

Paul Lamb has told ITV News he is "pleased" that he and the Nicklinson family can take their right-to-die challenges to the Supreme Court and is "already planning to be there".

The Nicklinsons earlier confirmed the Court of Appeal had cleared them to appeal to the higher court and Mr Lamb said, as far as he is concerned, he has been granted leave to appeal too.

The Christian Legal Centre has backed the Court of Appeal's rejection of right-to-die cases brought by Tony Nicklinson's family and Paul Lamb and warned against law makers being "swayed by clever PR based on hard cases".

“We’re relieved that the judges have upheld the current law on murder," Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Legal Centre, said in a statement. "It’s there for our protection and doesn’t need changing."

She went on: