The man who leads the Crown Prosecution is asking readers to give their views on his policy on assisted suicide.
Keir Starmer has published the factors he takes into account when deciding whether or not to allow prosecutions for assisted suicide.
He said: "I recognise how sensitive this area of law is and I respect the fact that there are many people who hold strong views on assisted suicide. I want to hear those views and that is why I have launched a public consultation.
“By considering as many opinions as possible, I can produce a final policy which is true to both the law and public feeling."
Assisting suicide has been a criminal offence in the UK for nearly 50 years, and Mr Starmer said his policy did nothing to change that and wanted to make clear his policy did not permit euthanasia.
"The taking of life by another person is murder or manslaughter - which are among the most serious criminal offences.”
The policy is at www.cps.gov.uk or write to the Assisted Suicide Policy Team, Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters, 6th floor, 50 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7EX for a copy.
The closing date for responses is December 16 and the policy will be issued in spring 2010.
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