The Bill is backed by Green MSP Patrick Harvie and other politicians from the main political parties, although Ms MacDonald said she does not know how many of Holyrood’s 129 MSPs support her proposals in principle.

She is also backed by the Humanist Society Scotland and was also joined at the launch of the Bill by advocate Niall McCluskey, retired GP Dr Bob Scott, Reverend Scott McKenna and Silvan Luley of the Swiss assisted dying organisation Dignitas, reports The Daily Record