Tony Nicklinson's last words: 'I'm already dead – don't mourn for me'

Tony Nicklinson died last Wednesday (EPA)

The widow of locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson said yesterday that she hoped his campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying would continue in his memory, and revealed some of his last words: "I'm already dead – don't mourn for me."

Jane Nicklinson, who had backed her husband's legal bid, echoed calls for his memory to live on through a continued battle to change the law, which had prevented doctors from ending his life.

Mrs Nicklinson also told the BBC the family knew the result of the High Court ruling days before it was made public – something which "knocked him for six", his widow said.