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As dad-of-two loses right-to-die battle – should he be allowed to take his own life?

A dad-of-two has lost his High Court case to choose to end his life, further sparking the question: should everyone have the right to die?

Tony Nicklinson, 58, suffered a catastrophic stroke in 2005, which has left him paralysed from the neck down and only able to communicate by blinking.

The beloved father describes his life as a ‘living nightmare’ and has campaigned to choose to end his life, which he can only do through starving himself or from a doctor’s assistance.

In a tearful interview after the decision, Mr Nicklinson said: "I am saddened that the law wants to condemn me to a life of increasing indignity and misery."

Although the case went further than previous assisted suicide challenges, a judge ruled that changing the law would have consequences ‘far beyond the present cases’ and that safeguards need to be in place.

In previous interviews, Mr Nicklinson’s daughters have also shown their support for their dad’s decision and believe that it should be his right to choose to end his life or not.

Mr Nicklinson has now vowed to appeal the decision and has received 180 signatures to his petition since posting the news on his Twitter account.

Whilst many have been touched by the story, it’s sparked a debate on whether assisted suicides should be legal within the UK and if doing so would potentially harm vulnerable or disabled people.

Do you think everyone should have the right to die?