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A former lord chief justice has argued that there is a serious gap in the assisted dying bill that will be debated in the Commons on Friday.

The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, introduced by the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would allow a terminally ill person to get help from a doctor to end their life, provided that two doctors and then a judge agree that they are making a “clear, settled and informed” decision.

It seems to me that the one really difficult question that hasn’t been addressed in this is how is the judge to proceed, as it cannot possibly be a rubber-stamping exercise.

There has to be a process, by which the evidence is put before the judge, and the judge will need help – will need either the official solicitor or some other body that can bring the evidence before him.

I haven’t decided how I’m going to vote. I’ve listened to my constituents who have been so kind and so generous to share with me their experiences, and I want to listen to my colleagues in the debate in full and decide how to vote.”

I think it’s so important that people are able to have a good death and that families feel that their loved one was able to die in the most peaceful way possible in accordance with their views, but I haven’t decided on this issue.