​Holyrood will vote on Wednesday on legislation which would legalise assisted suicie

A crucial vote will take place this week which will determine the future of assisted suicide legislation in Scotland.

The Scottish parliament will decide on Wednesday whether to proceed with a bill which would allow people with a terminal or life-shortening illness to die.

MSPs could stop the assisted suicide bill in its tracks – and an umbrella group of those against the proposed legislation is urging them to do this.

Care Not Killing said its own polling indicated that a majority of the public are against assisted suicide.

It also says that, based on previous statements made, it expects around two-thirds of MSPs to oppose the bill.

Opponents are set on denying those enduring suffering the choice to end their life at a time and in a place and manner of their choosing

Under the plans, which were brought forward by the late Margo MacDonald MSP, people with a life-threatening or shortening illness could notify their GP of their wish to die.

Following checks, a licensed facilitator would then be able to obtain a prescription for drugs which could allow the patient to end their life.

Some groups – including disability charity Inclusion Scotland – have argued that if the legislation becomes law, it could mean pressure is put on elderly or disabled people to kill themselves.

Others say it is necessary to preserve human dignity and to give legal footing to something that happens anyway and which can result in the criminalisation of carers.

Dr Gordon Macdonald, convener of Care Not Killing, said: “We are extremely hopeful that the bill will be comprehensively rejected by MSPs on Wednesday.”

However, Bob Scott, spokesperson for pro-bill group My Life, My Death, My Choice, said opponents of the legislation are “set on denying those enduring suffering the choice to end their life at a time and in a place and manner of their choosing.”