Labour’s Charlie Falconer says vocal opponents are leading voters to think government is against change

• ‘Slippery slope’ fears over assisted dying have echoes of abortion debate

Senior ministers who have spoken out against assisted dying are giving voters a “false impression” about the government’s position, a leading proponent of changing the law has said.

Charlie Falconer, a Labour peer and former justice secretary, said opponents to the change were “getting more coverage” because ministers in favour of legalising assisted dying were “playing by the rules”.