Right-to-die woman takes fight to European court

Motor Neurone disease sufferer Diane Pretty is taking her "right to die" fight to the European Court of Human Rights.

The 43-year-old is in Strasbourg to hear her lawyers argue the Government's refusal to allow her to commit suicide with the help of her husband was inhumane, degrading and infringed her human rights.

Mrs Pretty, who is paralysed by motor neurone disease, travelled to the French court in the hope that judges will overturn a Law Lords' ruling that assisted suicide is illegal.

She will not be required to give evidence in the hearing, which is expected to be completed within a day.

The judges will deliver a reserved judgment on a future date.

Mrs Pretty, a mother of two from Luton, Bedfordshire, wants the right to commit suicide with the help of her husband Brian, 45.

The advanced state of her condition means she is physically unable to kill herself.

The hearing comes a day after the Government was accused of giving Law Lords inaccurate information during a vital stage of Mrs Pretty's legal battle.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society says a Home Office official misled the Lords by saying that assisted suicide was a crime in three countries where it is, in fact, legal.

The Government's error has called into question the Law Lords' decision to throw out Mrs Pretty's appeal last November, the charity says.