Stephen Hawking backs right-to-die option

Stellar scientist Professor Stephen Hawking has spoken out in favour of assisted suicide for people with terminal diseases.

Prof Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, had previously been less supportive of the right to die, saying it was a mistake as “there is always hope”.

In an interview which will reignite the heated debate surrounding euthanasia, the 71-year-old cosmologist told the BBC: “We don’t let animals suffer, so why humans?”