Ex-supreme court president backs assisted dying law change

Exclusive: David Neuberger, who ruled on high-profile assited dying cases, believes tight terms of bill cannot be expanded in courts

The former president of the supreme court who ruled on the most high-profile assisted dying cases has declared his support for the law change, as MPs backing the bill say they believe they have the numbers for Friday's historic vote to pass.

David Neuberger, who ruled against high-profile assisted dying cases including Debbie Purdy in 2009 and Tony Nicklinson in 2015, told the Guardian he believed the status quo was failing the fundamental aims of the law - to respect people's right of personal autonomy, and to protect the vulnerable".