Widower who watched his wife die in agony in order to plead euthanasia at the Conservative party conference

Warwick Jackson will speak at the “Dignity in Dying” fringe event at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on Monday.

Mr Jackson, 63, from Bridgnorth, whose wife Ann tragically died in August 2020 as a result of stage four peritoneal cancer, will make a heartfelt appeal to MPs, urging them to support a change in the law to help terminally ill, mentally competent people would allow adults the option of euthanasia.

The plea comes at a time when one bill is under debate in the House of Lords, another is expected to be tabled in the House of Commons and the Prime Minister has pledged to give Parliament time to debate the issue.

Mr. Jackson will say: “You have the power to prevent others from experiencing the horrors my wife endured. The law in its current form forces people to die in agony when all they want is a dignified and peaceful end. Ann deserves better, and so do the thousands of people facing a similar fate.”

Ms. Jackson was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after a sudden illness in 2018.

After chemotherapy, she was told nothing more could be done.

In her last days she had severe breathing difficulties.

Mr Jackson has spoken of the harrowing hours before his wife’s death and the traumatic experience of watching her gasp for breath despite being given the maximum permitted dose of sedatives.

He said the experience was excruciating for both him and her.

He says he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from witnessing her “slow, painful and traumatic death,” an experience he says she would have avoided if she had had the choice of euthanasia.

Mr. Jackson will speak at a fringe event on “dignity in dying” at the conference, titled “Euthanasia: The Conservatives’ Case for Reform.”

It takes place on Monday September 30th at 1pm at the Churchill Theatre, Birmingham ICC.

Mr Jackson said: “Doctors repeatedly assured us that palliative care would prevent Ann’s suffering, but she was suffocating before my eyes. For four long days and nights, I watched my partner of 37 years struggle to breathe and beg the nurse. “I want to end her suffering, something that will haunt me for the rest of my life .

“MPs must know that no amount of palliative care could have eased their suffering. Ann deserves a fair say in her death, including the option of euthanasia. It’s time for a change in the law. I fully support the call for a free vote on euthanasia because this is a personal issue for so many of us – and we need MPs to listen.”

The event comes after the Prime Minister earlier this month reiterated his promise to Dame Esther Rantzen, who is suffering from stage four lung cancer, to provide time for Parliament to debate the issue.