Blur's drummer criticizes laws after his ex-wife took her own life alone, calling them 'psychopathic'.

Dave Rowntree, former drummer of the popular band Blur, has made a passionate plea for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK. This comes after his ex-wife, Paola Marra, was forced to travel to Switzerland alone earlier this year to end her life at Dignitas, a facility that offers assisted dying.

Marra had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had undergone multiple treatments and surgeries. However, her condition worsened and she was allergic to painkillers, making her final days unbearable. Despite divorcing in 2000, Rowntree, now 60, stood by her decision and supported her in her final journey. Unfortunately, he was unable to accompany her to Switzerland due to the risk of being arrested upon his return to the UK.

In an interview with The Guardian, Rowntree described the current laws surrounding assisted dying as "psychopathic." He believes that the state should be responsible for making difficult decisions, and if they are not willing to do so, then what is the point of having a state at all?

There have been efforts to legalise assisted dying in the UK, with a Private Member's Bill currently in the House of Lords. Rowntree has shown his support for this bill, which would allow individuals to have a choice in ending their life with dignity.

However, the only organisation that currently offers assisted dying in Switzerland is Dignitas, which comes at a high cost and is only available to non-citizens. Rowntree initially tried to convince Marra to die at home, but she was determined to go to Switzerland. Despite the UK laws, he offered to travel with her, but she passed away the following morning after urging him to support a change in the law.

Opponents of the legalisation of assisted dying argue that it may lead to vulnerable individuals, such as the disabled or elderly, being pressured into ending their lives. However, Rowntree and other campaigners argue that it should be a choice for individuals who are terminally ill and suffering.

The current bill, proposed by Kim Leadbeater, includes strict criteria and a cooling-off period, with a limit of six months for individuals with a terminal diagnosis. This comes after a previous bill in 2022 was stalled in the House of Lords.

Campaigners have been fighting for a change in the law for over a decade, with the first Assisted Dying Bill put forward by Lord Falconer in 2015, which was halted by the General Election. Leadbeater believes that individuals should have a choice at the end of their life and that the proposed bill will have stringent measures in place to protect vulnerable individuals.

Rowntree has honoured Marra's dying wish and continues to support the calls for a change in the law. He hopes that one day, those who are suffering from terminal illnesses will have the option to end their suffering with dignity.

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