Scotland’s parliament has passed the first stage of a bill that would allow the terminally ill to end their own lives, taking the country a step closer to joining others that have passed similar legislation on assisted dying.

Ahead of a final vote, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill will move to a committee stage where it will be scrutinised and amended by members of the Scottish parliament.

MSPs have approved the general principles of legislation that could introduce assisted dying for terminally ill Scots in a landmark vote at Holyrood. The Scottish Parliament voted by 70 votes to 56 in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur,