Deeply Disappointed by the Assisted Dying Vote Result

I am deeply disappointed by today's result in Parliament.

Like many in South Antrim, and across Northern Ireland, I would have preferred that the Bill had been defeated.

Unfortunately, it was passed by a narrow majority. As the Bill passed through the Commons, I felt it important to make my vote count at every stage and on every amendment.

As the Bill now passes to the House of Lords for consideration, I ask all Peers to give it the detailed scrutiny that it deserves including through many of the important amendments that didn't get a vote in the Commons.

I recognise that the result will be highly destabilising for our NHS as it now has to find scant resources to deliver the measures contained in this Bill.