A petition supporting the right of terminally ill, mentally competent adults to have the option of choosing medical assistance to die was officially registered as the largest e-petition ever received by the Prime Minister’s office this week. 11,664 households signed the petition online at www.Justice4Diane.org.uk eclipsing the previous record of 6,633 signatures held by the Call For Democracy campaign.

The record breaking e-petition was launched by Diane Pretty on 29th May 2002, the day the European Court of Human Rights turned down her appeal for assistance to end her life. To tap into enormous UK public support for a change in the law, Diane’s supporters set up a website www.Justice4Diane.org.uk The website directed visitors to a prominent petition page. The website address was publicised at a press conference attended by Diane and Brian Pretty which was carried live by almost every major UK news and media outlet.

Commenting on the new record, terminally ill campaigner Steve Barksby said, “With the massive media attention the website received, this record will stand for many years to come. “Every opinion poll in the last ten years shows the British public overwhelmingly support a change in the law to allow terminally ill adults the option of choosing medical assistance to die. Perhaps for the first time, the ‘e-voice’ of the British public has roared.

“The true test is if Parliament and the Government listens. If they fail to Act Now and seriously address this issue, then this e-democratic tool will become worthless.”