LEIGH MP Jo Platt voted in favour of the 'Assisted Dying' Bill which was passed in the House of Commons today after an emotional debate.

Today saw the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would make assisted dying legal for terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months and have the mental capacity to choose how they end their lives subject to tough safeguards.

The bill - called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - sets out detailed requirements in order to be eligible.

MPs were to be given a free vote on the bill - so they will not be bound by party whips. 

The ayes in support of the bill was 330, and those against were 275. The bill will now proceed to its next Commons stage.

The last Commons vote on this issue was in 2015. It was also a Private Members' Bill and a free vote that was defeated by 331 to 119 - 199 MPs didn't vote, and one abstained.

Ms Platt voted in favour of the Bill.

What happens next?

The Bill will now go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments.

Also on Friday, a motion was approved to allow the committee considering the Bill to have the power to send for people, papers and records as part of its sessions.

The Bill could face another six months of parliamentary scrutiny.

The Bill will face further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until 2025 at the earliest.

The bill would only definitely become law if both the House of Commons and House of Lords agree on the final wording.

Some MPs have indicated that their continued support at a further vote is contingent on being assured of appropriate safeguards in the Bill.