Andrea Williams reports on the progress made by Nikki and Merv Kenward who are seeking a Judicial Review.

Nikki Kenward

In a very welcome decision, the High Court has granted permission for a Judicial Review of the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) action in amending assisted suicide prosecution policy.

Nikki and Merv Kenward are seeking a Judicial Review because the DPP's action liberalises enforcement of the law on assisted suicide and puts vulnerable people at risk.

The judges' decision this week is an important step forward in making sure that vulnerable people, such as the elderly and disabled, are protected.

Granting permission for a Judicial Review, Lord Justice Bean said:

"We propose to grant permission to proceed with the substantive claim... The importance of the subject matter, and because justices did not speak with one voice in Nicklinson, leads us to the conclusion that the case should be heard at a divisional court.

"The main burden of the case is against the DPP."

Nikki Kenward was paralysed by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in 1990. Now, she and her husband Merv campaign with the Distant Voices group to resist changes in law that would allow assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Nikki welcomed the decision, saying:

"The judges' decision today is a great relief to me and people like me. We are the ones who will suffer as a result of the change in guidance.

"The message from these new guidelines is that society thinks you are in the way. The best thing you can do is to agree to die.

"With the judges granting a Judicial Review we now have hope that the decision will be reversed and vulnerable people will be protected."

Confronting the challenge of assisted suicide is important because each person is made in God's image. Our value is not determined by how much we can contribute or our 'quality of life' but is founded upon the reality that we are made by God and loved by Him. Every human life is precious and worthy of protection.

It is vital that the law remains robust in protecting the most vulnerable so that they are not pressured or encouraged to take their own lives.

The Kenwards are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre and arguments before the High Court this week were made by Standing Counsel, Paul Diamond.