SCOTLAND could become the first country in the UK to legalise assisted dying after MSPs return from Holyrood’s summer recess on September 4.

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s health committee are to begin scrutinising the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill which was drafted in September 2021 by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur.

It won backing from 36 MSPs. A public consultation showed 76 per cent support for the principle of assisted dying.