16th August 2010

FATE Press Release — for immediate publication

Dr. Libby Wilson, Fate’s high profile Convenor and Medical Adviser, who had faced prosecution in connection with the death of a Surrey woman, has been told this morning that her bail conditions have been cancelled. She had been summoned to appear at Woking police station this Friday (20th August). Dr. Wilson was detained a year ago and questioned by detectives after terminally ill academic, Cari Loder, who had multiple sclerosis, killed herself in June last year, and police discovered Dr. Wilson’s phone number among Ms. Loder’s records.

This latest news follows the decision, last month, by the Director of Public Prosecutions NOT to prosecute another FATE member — former GP Dr. Michael Irwin — for assisting financially and accompanying Raymond Cutkelvin, who was dying from pancreatic cancer, to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

The case against Dr. Michael Irwin was dropped according to Keir Starmer, not because there was not enough evidence to prosecute him, but because it would not be in the public interest — one reason being his age…he is seventy nine. Dr. Wilson is eighty four.

Speaking at her home in the west end of Glasgow, Dr. Wilson said that while she was obviously relieved that she would no longer be facing any charges, she is concerned not only about the lack of clarity that still surrounds the position of those who help others to die, but also about the enormous waste of public money and police time that is involved.

In addition, Dr. Wilson, a retired GP, believes this has lead to a ‘two tier’ situation regarding assisted suicide — those who can afford to travel to Dignitas, and those who cannot and are therefore left either to suffer unbearably or adopt drastic measures to end their lives.

Dr Libby Wilson can be contacted direct on 0141 334 3287.

Or press inquiries via Sheila Duffy on 0141 337 1588.

5th July 2010
FATE Press Release - for immediate publication

Dr. Libby Wilson, Fate’s high profile Convenor and Medical Adviser, who faces prosecution in connection with the death of a Surrey woman, has been told this morning that her bail surrender has been deferred for the FIFTH time. She had been summoned to appear at Woking police station on the 9th of July. Dr. Wilson was detained a year ago and questioned by detectives after terminally ill academic, Cari Loder, who had multiple sclerosis, killed herself in June last year, and police discovered Dr. Wilson’s phone number among Ms. Loder’s records.

This latest news follows the decision, last month, by the Director of Public Prosecutions NOT to prosecute another FATE member -former GP Dr. Michael Irwin - for assisting financially and accompanying Raymond Cutkelvin, who was dying from pancreatic cancer, to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

The case against Dr. Michael Irwin was dropped according to Keir Starmer, not because there was not enough evidence to prosecute him, but because it would not be in the public interest – one reason being his age...he is seventy nine. Dr. Wilson is eighty four.

Speaking at her home in the west end of Glasgow, Dr Wilson said that she is concerned not only about the lack of clarity that still surrounds the position of those who help others to die, but also about the enormous waste of public money and police time that is involved. “How much longer is this expensive farce going to continue?”

In addition she believes this has lead to a ‘two tier’ situation regarding assisted suicide - those who can afford to travel to Dignitas, and those who cannot and are therefore left either to suffer unbearably or adopt drastic measures to end their lives.

Dr Libby Wilson can be contacted direct on 0141 334 3287
Or press inquiries via Sheila Duffy on 0141 337 1588
 

26th June 2010
FATE Press Release - for immediate publication

Friends at the End, the Scottish based pro euthanasia organisation, today welcomed the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions NOT to prosecute one of its highest profile members, former GP Dr. Michael Irwin, for assisting financially and accompanying Raymond Cutkelvin, who was dying from pancreatic cancer, to the Dignitas clinic in order to commit suicide.

Keir Starmer QC concluded, after an investigation that has dragged on for nearly a year, that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute Dr. Irwin, nor Mr. Cutkelvin’s partner who also went with him to Switzerland.

However, Fate’s Convenor and Medical Adviser, Dr. Libby Wilson, STILL faces prosecution over a separate incident, and is due to surrender her bail to Woking police on the 9th July. Dr. Wilson was detained and questioned by detectives after a terminally ill Surrey woman with multiple sclerosis - Cari Loder- killed herself in June last year, when police discovered Dr. Wilson’s phone number among Ms. Loder’s records.

Dr. Libby Wilson, speaking at her home in the west end of Glasgow, is concerned not only about the lack of clarity that still surrounds the position of those who help others to die, but also about the enormous waste of public money and police time that is involved - this will be the fourth occasion that Dr. Wilson has been ordered to appear before Guildford police.

In addition she believes this has lead to a ‘two tier’ situation regarding assisted suicide - those who can afford to travel to Dignitas, and those who cannot and are therefore left either to suffer unbearably or adopt drastic measures to end their lives.

Dr Libby Wilson can be contacted on 0141 334 3287
Or press inquiries via Sheila Duffy on 0141 337 1588