Councillors in West Dunbartonshire are being asked to oppose “assisted dying” being made legal in Scotland.

Bailie Denis Agnew wants the council to tell the Scottish Government it would oppose, in the strongest terms, any move to legalise what he calls “this iniquitous concept.”

Bailie Agnew has submitted a motion, due to be debated by the council on May 29, calling on the council to tell Holyrood it is against assisted dying.

The move comes at a time when the emotive subject is being heightened by several high-profile cases around the UK.

Although there is currently nothing concrete in terms of a bill, MSPs from each party are looking at the issue.

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A poll by Dignity in Dying Scotland, which wants people to be given control of how they die, suggested that almost nine out of 10 Scots now support assisted dying being made legal.

However, Bailie Agnew’s motion describes the move to legalise assisted suicide, or euthanasia, as “unacceptable in our society”.

Meanwhile, council leader Jonathan McColl, who is in favour of assisted dying, said whilst he respected Bailie Agnew’s view that the council should take a position on proposals for assisted dying, he did not agree with him.

He added: “This is a very individual matter and needs informed debate at the highest levels of government.

“There will be a range of opinions among councillors and every one of us should feel able to contribute to the national discussion.”

Another councillor in favour of assisted dying is Jim Bollan, who said: “I am in favour of assisted dying if there are appropriate and agreed legal and medical processes put in place.

“These should be in the form of guidance and support to the individual and their family. It should be basic freedom of choice for any individual to take this action, with appropriate safeguards, the same as it is every woman’s right to choose what happens to their body when considering abortion.”

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Charity Dignity in Dying has accused some politicians of lagging behind public opinion.

Ally Thomson, the organisation’s director, said: “[The public] want to see change but, as is often the case with liberal reform, some politicians are still lagging some way behind.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We respect the will of the Scottish Parliament on assisted dying, and are committed to ensuring everyone has dignity and respect at the end of their life.

“Scotland is widely recognised for providing high quality care in this area and we support greater public and personal discussion of bereavement and care at the end of life.”