Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent TV

Showing now | News

Video Player Placeholder
James Cleverly’s voice breaks as he tells MPs of ‘painful’ death of best friend in assisted dying bill debate

01:04

James Cleverly’s voice breaks as he tells MPs of ‘painful’ death of best friend in assisted dying bill debate

James Cleverly has opened up on losing his best friend during the assisted dying bill debate in the House of Commons on Friday (20 June).

The former minister’s voice broke as he revealed that his closest friend “painfully” passed away earlier this year from esophageal cancer, sharing that he spent the final weeks of his life with him.

Cleverly, one of the leading opponents of the Bill, told the Commons that he “comes at this not from a position of faith, nor from a position of ignorance” but is instead concerned over the practicalities of the Bill.

He told his fellow MPs that whilst he wants to “alleviate suffering”, he does not believe the Bill is a good enough piece of legislation to pass.

Up next

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in