Labour row over assisted dying heats up as cabinet minister accused of ‘imposing’ religion on others
Concerns were also raised when a Labour MP said politicians should 'butt out' of the debate
A GOVERNMENT row over assisted dying heated up yesterday as a minister was accused of “imposing” her religious beliefs on others.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is Muslim, was slammed by one of her predecessors ahead of Friday’s vote on the controversial topic, which has split the Cabinet.
Ms Mahmood wrote to her Birmingham Ladywood constituents warning the Bill would be a “slippery slope towards death on demand”.
But Labour grandee Lord Falconer told Sky News: “I think she’s motivated — and I respect this — by her religious beliefs.
“They shouldn’t be imposed on everybody else.”
The very public Labour split emerged after Cabinet ministers were warned by Whitehall chiefs to keep to a minimum talk of their views on the issue.
PM Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch have given MPs free rein to back or oppose a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater.
The Cabinet is divided around 10-5 in favour of change.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy PM Angela Rayner are opposed.
In favour are Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
Meanwhile, a poll by think-tank More In Common has found that two-thirds of voters support the concept.
Previously, Leadbeater raised concerns when she said politicians should “butt out” of the debate.
Keir Starmer also slapped down his Health Secretary for wading into the assisted dying debate.