Scotland's Assisted Suicide Architect Cannot Answer What Happens When the Drugs Fail

Scottish MSP Liam McArthur Under Fire for Dodging Key Question on What Happens When Assisted Suicide Drugs Fail

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur is facing fierce criticism after he failed to directly answer what doctors should do if assisted suicide drugs do not work on a patient.

During the Stage 3 debate on his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood on March 13, 2026, McArthur was pressed on the critical question. His response left pro life campaigners alarmed.

"I would expect the medical professionals to exercise the training, the judgement they have to make the patient comfortable."

Care Not Killing Scotland called this a "shameful dodge," warning it could mean "euthanasia by the back door." Dr Gordon MacDonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, went further, accusing McArthur of "misleading people" about the true implications of the legislation.

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, called it "an astonishing development" that the bill's own sponsor could not answer such a fundamental question about end of life procedures.

During the debate, MSPs also voted down an amendment that would have prevented people from choosing assisted suicide because they felt like a burden or were under financial pressure. Right To Life UK expressed alarm at this rejection.

Conservative MSP Sue Webber warned that Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying programme had consumed disproportionate palliative care resources. SNP MSP Ruth Maguire cited Oregon data showing the median time between ingestion and death is 53 minutes, though one case took over five days.

An overwhelming 86% of MSPs who spoke during earlier debate on the bill opposed it, with 18 out of 21 speakers arguing against the legislation. Despite this, McArthur has called the bill "bulletproof" following a marathon four day debate in which 175 amendments were accepted. The final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.

Pro Life Groups Sound Alarm as Scotland's Assisted Dying Bill Heads to Final Vote

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay withdrew his support for the bill, stating that while he agrees with assisted dying in principle, he does not believe the legislation has adequate protections against coercion or expansion of eligibility criteria.

The bill, if passed, would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to lawfully request assistance from health professionals to end their own lives. Over 300 amendments were submitted during Stage 3 proceedings, with parliament forced to sit on a rare Friday session to finish voting on remaining amendments.

The Crusader's Opinion

When the architect of a suicide bill cannot even answer what happens when the drugs fail, you are not looking at compassion. You are looking at a death machine with no off switch. McArthur's dodge is not just shameful. It is chilling. Because the answer he would not say out loud is the one everyone already knows: they will kill the patient directly. That is euthanasia. That is what this has always been about. Scotland, wake up. Today it is the terminally ill. Tomorrow it is the elderly who feel like a burden. Ask Canada how that story ends. The sanctity of life is not negotiable, and no parliament on earth has the authority to overrule God on that.

Take Action

• Contact your MSP directly through the Scottish Parliament website and urge them to vote against the Assisted Dying Bill on March 17.
• Support Care Not Killing, the leading UK campaign opposing the legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support Christian advocacy and the defence of life and faith worldwide.
• Sign the Right To Life UK petition calling for stronger protections for vulnerable people in end of life legislation.
• Pray for Scotland's lawmakers to uphold the sanctity of life and share this article with your church community to raise awareness before the final vote.