Assisted dying: Desmond Tutu signals support

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Desmond Tutu has said he would support assisted dying for the terminally ill.

Writing in The Observer he said he reveres "the sanctity of life but not at any cost".

He also suggested that prolonging the life of Nelson Mandela had been an "affront" to his dignity.

His comments follow a U-turn by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, who also said he would support assisted dying for the terminally ill.

The Church of England (CofE) has called for an inquiry into the issue.

I think a lot of people would be upset if I said I wanted assisted dying. I would say I wouldn't mind actually

In his column the 82-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop of South Africa said: "I think when you need machines to help you breathe, then you have to ask questions about the quality of life being experienced and about the way money is being spent."

He also described as "disgraceful" how former South African leader Nelson Mandela was kept alive with intensive hospitalisation in the final stages of his life and was photographed with various visiting politicians.

He said: "You could see Madiba [Nelson Mandela] was not fully there. He did not speak. He was not connecting. My friend was no longer himself. It was an affront to Madiba's dignity.

"Yes, I think a lot of people would be upset if I said I wanted assisted dying. I would say I wouldn't mind actually."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28282323