A recently-released report shows that the Scottish Member of Parliament who introduced a bill to legalize “assisted dying” has received tens of thousands of dollars from pro-euthanasia lobby groups to pay for dedicated staff to support his bill. Both he and the groups in question claim the exchange of this money is unconcerning.
According to the registry of interests, Liam McArthur received 35,949 pounds ($45,800 US dollars) from three euthanasia groups, including Dignity in Dying, Friends at the End, and the Scottish Humanist Society. McArthur also accepted travel, meals, and accommodations worth thousands from Dignity in Dying so that he could fly to California to meet euthanasia advocates in that state. A report from the Sunday Mail revealed that the euthanasia groups have a link to an offshore tax haven and U.S. pharmaceutical companies, which many see as problematic.
McArthur, who introduced legislation in March 2024 that would legalize assisted suicide in Scotland, said he had no qualms about accepting the money.
“These questions are for Dignity in Dying. I have no concerns about funding I have received and everything has been registered as required,” he told the Sunday Mail, before shifting focus back on his proposal.
“What is contained in my Bill would be the most safeguarded model of assisted dying that exists,” he said. “At the moment suicide rates among people with a terminal illness are twice as high as those among the population as a whole and we are leaving these people to take matters into their own hands without being able to involve their families and medics.”
READ: Film exposes ‘predatory’ assisted dying regime: ‘It becomes so easy just to kill’
Dignity in Dying Scotland is also standing by the money exchange.
“Compassion in Dying funding sources are clearly stated in our public accounts and we are regularly audited in line with charity law,” said a spokeswoman. “Dignity in Dying campaign[s] only for a change in the law that would allow terminally ill adults the option of assisted dying.”
However, other groups are questioning the legitimacy of the funding, especially as it pertains to offshore accounts and pharmaceutical ties.
“Dignity in Dying is extremely well funded, and we are right to ask where that money is coming from,” said Dr. Gordon Macdonald of the organization Care Not Killing. “They really need to show some transparency and Mr. McArthur does as well. He perhaps should have carried out due diligence before he accepted the funds and perhaps should now be thinking about giving the money back.”
Gordon continued, “The question remains: who are the mysterious donors and why are they not willing to say what links they might have, especially if it involves the pharmaceutical industry?”
McArthur’s euthanasia bill is expected to go up for a vote in the spring.
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