A backbench Labour rebellion aimed at preventing "euthanasia by the back door" caused the government severe embarrassment on Tuesday. Constitutional affairs minister David Lammy struggled to argue the government's case in a bad tempered debate on the Mental Capacity Bill.

Under the deal so called "living wills" must be written and witnessed, and doctors or the patient's representative should not be motivated to bring about the patient's death.

Party Response: Liberal Democrats

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "The end of life issues being discussed in the Mental Capacity Bill are being grossly exaggerated.