Dame Esther Rantzen’s daughter has criticised the House of Lords, following the collapse of a Bill that would have legalised assisted dying.
Somerville College alumni Rebecca Wilcox, whose Oxford-educated mother is terminally ill with cancer, said she was "annoyed" that her mother would not live to see the law change, describing the Bill’s failure as being "thwarted by such a petty few" in the Lords.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would have legalised assisted dying in England and Wales, fell on Friday after running out of time to complete its passage through the House of Lords.
More than 1,200 amendments were tabled, most by just seven peers, prompting allegations of filibustering.
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Ms Wilcox said: "I’m very grateful for where you’ve got it to, and I know this is not the end for us.
"It’s absolutely the end for mum, and I’m so annoyed that she hasn’t been able to see this go through."
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Dame Esther, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in January 2023, has since become a vocal supporter of assisted dying.
The Childline founder has previously urged the House of Lords "not to try and sabotage democracy."
Ms Wilcox said: "Mum is still planning to go to Dignitas, and I’m still not allowed to go with her.
"If I do, I will be investigated, I will lose my job, and I will not be able to do my counselling work at Childline."
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