Education secretary urges ministers to keep discussion on policy behind the scenes after Wes Streeting voices opposition

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Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has said she is likely to vote against the bill to legalise assisted dying, as she urged ministerial colleagues to keep their discussions about the policy behind the scenes.

Under a policy of government neutrality towards the private member’s bill from the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, which will get its first Commons vote this month, ministers are permitted to talk about a previously-known stance if asked but otherwise to keep out of the debate.