Esther Rantzen’s daughter praises mother’s ‘brilliant’ decision to join assisted dying clinic

Esther Rantzen’s daughter praises mother’s ‘brilliant’ decision to join assisted dying clinic
GBNews
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 19/12/2023

- 22:54

Updated: 27/12/2023

- 16:01

The Childline founder and broadcaster said she had joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic

Esther Rantzen’s daughter has praised her mother for making a “brilliant decision” in signing up for assisted dying.

It comes after the Childline founder and broadcaster said she had joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic after her lung cancer progressed to stage four.


The decision has sparked debate as to whether Parliament should debate legalising assisted dying again.

Discussing her mother’s decision, Rebecca Wilcox joined Patrick Christys on GB News.

Rebecca Wilcox and Esther Rantzen

Rebecca Wilcox has spoken out on her mother's decision

GB NEWS / GETTY

Asked if she is “on board” with the decision, Wilcox admitted she has gone “back and forth” on the matter.

“Obviously, I want her to live forever. It’s what she originally promised us”, she said.

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Esther Rantzen Esther Rantzen was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year PA

“Her parents lived to 90 and 93, so we thought we had another decade with her.

“She has always made brilliant decisions, not necessarily the easy one, but I think this is another brilliant decision.

“I support her choice to make this decision, it is a very difficult wording to get away with because you need to say what you feel without incriminating yourself, and how ridiculous is that?”

Questioned over the possible legal ramifications of being shown to support her mother’s decision, Wilcox said she would “likely be arrested” should she be present through most of the process.

“There are a few people out there who are evil and willing to manipulate these situations for their gain”, she said.

“Not to sound ridiculous, but these people are ruining it for the rest of us.”

Downing Street said decisions on assisted dying were a matter for Parliament, rather than the Government.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The position of the Government has not changed.

“It is a matter for Parliament to decide. It’s an issue of conscience for individual parliamentarians.

“MPs, I believe, last had the opportunity to vote in 2015 when they rejected making any change in the law.

“It will be for Parliament to decide on any future debate.”

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