Campaigners defiant despite MPs rejecting assisted dying bill

• MPs have rejected a bill that would have legalised assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.
• Prominent campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen described the vote as a "tragic day" for terminally ill people seeking the choice to shorten their suffering.
• Dame Esther, who is terminally ill with cancer, expressed sadness that the legal change would not come soon enough for many, though she remains confident it will eventually happen.
• Her daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, called the rejection a "demolition of democracy" and declared that she will not stop campaigning for a change in the law.
• The Childline founder and former broadcaster had previously issued a plea to MPs to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying.

IN FULL

Dame Esther Rantzen says it is a ‘tragic day’ after assisted dying bill is rejected