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The UK’s public prosecutor published guidelines 23 September on British law covering assisted suicide. The clarification comes after a woman with multiple sclerosis in Bradford, Debby Purdy, demanded that she be told under what circumstances her husband might be prosecuted if she later chooses to commit suicide. Assisting suicide is illegal in the UK and punishable by up to four years in prison. Many Britons have come to Switzerland to die under the auspices of Dignitas, a group that offers assisted suicide in Zurich. Swiss law But none of their relatives and friends have been prosecuted. The law allows discretion. The new guidelines will take into consideration financial incentives, pressure from family and others, and the level of competence to decide, on the part of the person choosing to commit suicide. Keith Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, said “the key is motivation.” BBC, The Times