Latest news with #DameEstherRantzen
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Now Donald Trump wades in on Britain's assisted dying plans as US condemns 'state-subsidised suicide'
Donald Trump 's administration has waded into the UK assisted dying row by condemning 'state-subsidised suicide'. A branch of the US State Department appeared to encourage the House of Lords to block the law by 'reaffirming the sanctity of life'. The intervention came after MPs passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with a majority of 23 votes last week - down from 55 at second reading stage in November. Assisted dying campaigners including Dame Esther Rantzen have urged peers not to thwart the legislation with amendments or delaying tactics. Posting on X yesterday, the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour - part of Marco Rubio 's State Department - said: 'As the UK Parliament considers support for state-subsidised suicide, euphemistically called a bill for ''Terminally Ill Adults'', the United States reaffirms the sanctity of life. 'The western world should stand for life, vitality and hope over surrender and death.' A branch of the US State Department appeared to encourage the House of Lords to block the law by 'reaffirming the sanctity of life' The legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. Around a dozen US states operate versions of assisted dying. Tory MP John Hayes told the Telegraph he agreed with the statement but was 'disturbed' about the implications for Transatlantic ties. 'It is unusual for our closest ally to become involved in issues around the legislative detail of what goes on in Parliament,' he said. The Government is neutral on the backbench legislation, meaning MPs were not whipped to vote in favour or against. Keir Starmer backed the plans, and this week slapped down a suggestion from Health Secretary Wes Streeting that 'there isn't a budget' for delivering an assisted dying service. But asked about funding by reporters, the PM said: 'It is my responsibility to make sure the Bill is workable, and that means workable in all its aspects. 'I'm confident we've done that preparation.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Esther Rantzen's daughter forced to share pics of her cancer battle live on TV after 'disgusting' fake images of 85 year old are posted in hoax that left her 'appalled'
Dame Esther Rantzen 's daughter was forced to share pictures of her mother's cancer battle on TV after fake images of her were posted in an appalling hoax. TV presenter Rebecca Wilcox, 45, the second of the 85-year-old journalist's three children, spoke about the ordeal on today's episode of BBC One Morning Live. Her mother, known for presenting BBC magazine programme That's Life! from 1973 to 1994 and founding Childline, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2023. But Rebecca told presenters Gethin Jones, 47, and Kimberley Walsh, 43, fake news and images regarding her mother's health had recently circulated online. It included AI-generated pictures showing the broadcaster in hospital, headlines claiming she was in a coma and even a story reporting she had died. Rebecca was forced to go as far as to appear on Morning Live, alongside the show's Scam and Crime expert, Rav Wilding, 47, to debunk the false information. She first displayed the upsetting fake images of Dame Esther that had been generated and spread. The false pictures have upset the family so much that Rebecca warned her mother and sister, watching at home, to look away as they were shown on camera. Rebecca opened: 'I was just appalled by them...' Referring to one particular image, she said: 'That one, really, I hate. I think she's either supposed to be dead or in a coma and that's the one I think looks most like her. 'It's just an extraordinary thing to do, it's just a weird, horrible thing to do, she doesn't look like that.' And as Esther has been 'very private' about her battle with cancer, sharing it just with her family, many of her friends have not seen her for months, Rebecca explained: 'So, that's the first thing they're seeing, they think that's her. That's appalling. 'Even her grandchildren, I've had to warn my brother to tell his kids that these pictures are out there, that they're not real, that's not what she looks like... 'How dare somebody do this to anybody? And we're not the only ones it's been done to.' After denouncing the false images, Rebecca shared pictures of her mother's birthday party, which happened just days ago. Dame Esther looked happy with a massive smile, wearing a gorgeous yellow floral dress as she posed with her daughter and took a walk in her garden. It was a stark contrast to her frail appearance that was manufactured in the AI-generated images, Rebecca said: 'She looks incredible right now.' She showed both sets of images, real and fake, to demonstrate to viewers just how false the manufactured images of her mother are. 'I wanted you to see mum, looking well, and I'm really grateful to you guys for letting me show this side of her because I just want to put the record straight', she said. Kimberley dubbed the spread of the fake news 'disgusting', with Gethin labelling it an 'unnecessary stress on top of everything else'. Rebecca also pointed out how distressing the comments on these fake social media posts have been - even accusing the family of disseminating the images themselves. 'Some people accusing us of being obscene, "How dare we undermine the greatness of mum by showing these pictures?", "It's such an invasion of privacy", she quoted. 'But this was nothing to do with us. We wouldn't have done that, we would never have done that without her permission. They're not real pictures!' Rav agreed about how distressing such fake images are, warning of just how much false information there is out there. It is especially important to fight it, he said, as 52 per cent of people use social media as their primary news source, according to Ofcom. Rav explained: 'So, most people are going to believe what they see as being correct.' He advised: 'There are lots of things out there that are not to be trusted online and it's really just a reminder. 'It doesn't matter what you see pop up, you need to do some checks to make sure it is something that you can trust.' The expert told viewers what to look out for to spot false images, zooming in on details in the pictures of Dame Esther to show what he meant. He pointed out a piece of medical equipment with all the buttons overlapping and on top of each other and an IV drip with a number on the bag that just did not blend in. The image also showed a mattress that appeared to blend into the wall. Rav explained why these are signs of falsified images: 'AI struggles with the finer details within an image it's creating. It takes time, it does take time [to check].' Every social media platform has a quick, easy reporting function, which he advised viewers to use whenever they see any kind of false information or images. Rebecca's appearance on Morning Live comes after Dame Esther opened up about her heartbreaking final wish earlier this year in an update on her health. She expressed her deep desire to be reunited with her late husband Desmond Wilcox, who she lost to a heart attack in 2000 at the age of 69. The Childline founder spoke deeply about her lasting bond with Desmond, reflecting on the possibility of an afterlife where they could be together once again. She told The Times in April: 'If there is a heaven, it would be a very happy place. 'It's a lovely idea to meet Desmond again and all those I have loved and lost — my parents and grandparents, my close friends and family.' Rebecca's appearance on Morning Live comes after Dame Esther (pictured in 2020) opened up about her heartbreaking final wish earlier this year in an update on her health She expressed her deep desire to be reunited with her late husband Desmond Wilcox, who she lost to a heart attack in 2000 at the age of 69. Pictured: The couple together in 1999 Esther's relationship with Desmond began as an affair in 1968, when he was her head of department at the BBC. They married in 1977 and had three children, spending 30 years together until his death. Just a month before Esther revealed her heartbreaking final wish, her daughter Rebecca had revealed the cancer drug her mother was put on was no longer working. Last year, the star raved about an 'amazing' new drug which had delayed the spread of her cancer, telling The Sunday Times it had allowed her to plan ahead. But in March, Rebecca gave an update on her mother during an interview on 5 News, revealing the medication was no longer working. Host Julian Druker asked if the medication she was on 'was an improvement' only for an emotional Rebecca to admit: 'I really wish that was true but I don't think that's the case anymore.' Both Dame Esther and her daughter are advocates for legalising assisted dying in the UK, with a bill to this effect currently having its second reading in the House of Lords. Responding to news of delays to the bill, Rebecca explained: 'I just wish that people understood that all the assisted dying bill is, is choice for people that want it. 'All it is, is giving you peace of mind and that peace of mind, I cannot tell you how powerful that would be right now for my mum. 'I'm a witness to the trauma of uncertainty, to the trauma of stress around what is going to happen. 'The fact that she doesn't know how her death is going to happen, how the pain is going to progress, the exhaustion, the fatigue, what symptoms are going to come in. 'She is a person who has fought her whole life for other people, and she has no control now. 'Why can't we give people like my mum with a terminal diagnosis, with no other choice, some choice as to when and how and where they die?'
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Esther Rantzen speaks of ‘enormous relief' after MPs backed assisted dying Bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has said she felt 'enormous relief' at MPs approving the assisted dying Bill. Appearing on ITV1's Loose Women, Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, said she had not expected to reach her 85th birthday yesterday (Sunday) when she was diagnosed. 'Who knew I'd be 85, heavens,' she said. On the topic of assisted dying, for which she has been one of the most high-profile campaigners, she said: 'It's not a question of shortening your life, it's a question of shortening your death and we've always thought that was very important for people… to have that choice.' She said she had not yet been given a six-month deadline for her own cancer and is due to have more chemotherapy this week. Discussing safeguarding concerns, Dame Esther said: 'The difference is that decisions are being made by the patient and I think some people do find that difficult. 'Some of my closest relatives and best friends are psychiatrists, but I'm not sure psychiatrists are always happy to give control back to the patient, but that's what we're asking for.' She said of her own illness: 'One of the things about cancer, which I think people don't realise – I didn't realise – it can create fatigue which means you can't do the things you would like to do.' Referencing not being able to join the panel in the studio, she added: 'Like for example, join Loose Women. I mean, I like being loose!' Last week, Dame Esther urged members of the House of Lords not to block legislation on the issue. The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but opponents have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber. The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with critics poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill. Last week, Dame Esther told BBC Radio 4's Today: ' People who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons, who have voted this through.' She said the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to end her life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, which she signed up to following her diagnosis.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Esther Rantzen speaks of ‘enormous relief' after MPs backed assisted dying Bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has said she felt 'enormous relief' at MPs approving the assisted dying Bill. Appearing on ITV1's Loose Women, Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, said she had not expected to reach her 85th birthday yesterday (Sunday) when she was diagnosed. 'Who knew I'd be 85, heavens,' she said. On the topic of assisted dying, for which she has been one of the most high-profile campaigners, she said: 'It's not a question of shortening your life, it's a question of shortening your death and we've always thought that was very important for people… to have that choice.' She said she had not yet been given a six-month deadline for her own cancer and is due to have more chemotherapy this week. Discussing safeguarding concerns, Dame Esther said: 'The difference is that decisions are being made by the patient and I think some people do find that difficult. 'Some of my closest relatives and best friends are psychiatrists, but I'm not sure psychiatrists are always happy to give control back to the patient, but that's what we're asking for.' She said of her own illness: 'One of the things about cancer, which I think people don't realise – I didn't realise – it can create fatigue which means you can't do the things you would like to do.' Referencing not being able to join the panel in the studio, she added: 'Like for example, join Loose Women. I mean, I like being loose!' Last week, Dame Esther urged members of the House of Lords not to block legislation on the issue. The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but opponents have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber. The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with critics poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill. Last week, Dame Esther told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'People who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons, who have voted this through.' She said the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to end her life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, which she signed up to following her diagnosis.
Telegraph
21-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Esther Rantzen urges Lords not to block assisted dying bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has urged the House of Lords not to block assisted dying legislation. The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but critics have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber. The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with opponents poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill. Dame Esther, an assisted dying campaigner, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I don't need to teach the House of Lords how to do their job. They know it very well, and they know that laws are produced by the elected chamber. 'Their job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose. 'So yes, people who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons who have voted this through.' Dame Esther, who turns 85 on Sunday and has terminal cancer, acknowledged the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to 'buzz off to Zurich' to use the Dignitas clinic. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the Paralympian and crossbench peer, told BBC Breakfast: 'We're getting ready for it to come to the Lord's and from my personal point of view, about amending it to make it stronger. 'We've been told it's the strongest Bill in the world, but to be honest, it's not very high bar for other legislation. 'So I do think there are a lot more safeguards that could be put in.' Lord Shinkwin, the Conservative peer and disability rights campaigner, said the narrow Commons majority underlined the need for peers to take a close look at the legislation. He thinks the House of Lords 'has a duty to expose and to subject this Bill to forensic scrutiny' but he doesn't think 'it's a question of blocking it so much as performing our duty as a revising chamber'. He added: 'The margin yesterday was so close that many MPs would appreciate the opportunity to look at this again in respect of safeguards as they relate to those who feel vulnerable, whether that's disabled people or older people.' Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who steered the Bill through the Commons, told the PA news agency she hoped peers would not seek to derail the legislation, which could run out of parliamentary time if it is held up in the Lords. She said: 'I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue.' A group of 27 Labour MPs who voted against the legislation said: 'We were elected to represent both of those groups and are still deeply concerned about the risks in this Bill of coercion of the old and discrimination against the disabled, people with anorexia and black, Asian and minority ethnic people, who we know do not receive equitable health care. 'As the Bill moves to the House of Lords, it must receive the scrutiny that it needs. Not about the principles of assisted dying but its application in this deeply flawed Bill.' Danny Kruger, one of the leading opponents of the Bill, said: 'These are apocalyptic times'. In a series of posts on X on Friday night, the Conservative MP who is at odds with his mother Dame Prue Leith over the legalisation, accused assisted dying campaigners of being 'militant anti-Christians' who had failed to 'engage with the detail of the Bill'.
