Right-to-die campaigner and MS sufferer Debbie Purdy - who forced the government to publish rules on assisted suicide - dies aged 51

• Debbie Purdy has died aged 51 at Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford
• She won a landmark ruling in the House of Lords in 2009 resulting in a guidelines on assisted suicide being published by the government
• Her husband has paid tribute to 'a much loved wife, sister, aunt and friend'

 
 
 

Right-to-die campaigner and primary progressive multiple sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy has died.

The 51-year-old, from Bradford, won a landmark ruling in the House of Lords in 2009 resulting in guidelines on assisted suicide being published by the Government.

She died in the Marie Curie Hospice in her home city, where she had been staying for a year.

Right-to-die campaigner and primary progressive multiple sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy (pictured) has died

She had been refusing food.

A Marie Curie spokesman confirmed her death, saying she died before Christmas. 

Ms Purdy had suffered with the disease for almost 20 years,

In 2009, she won a ruling to get clarification on whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her to end her life.

Mr Puente confirmed the death of his wife in a statement, paying tribute to 'a much loved wife, sister, aunt and friend'.

He said: 'We would like to thank the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford for the care the staff gave her, which allowed her last year to be as peaceful and dignified as she wished.'

Ms Purdy pictured with her husband Omar Puente outside the House of Lords following her win in 2009