A terminally ill woman today lost her High Court battle in Britain this morning over the right to commit suicide with the help of her husband.
Ms Diane Pretty (42) had challenged the refusal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr David Calvert-Smith, to rule out taking action against her husband if he helps her take her own life.
The mother-of-two, from Luton, Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease - which is untreatable - in 1999, and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Mrs Pretty's case was the first where the courts were asked to rule on the principle of the legality of an assisted suicide, according to legal experts.
She had asked the court to rule that by denying her the chance to "die with dignity", the law was infringing her human rights.
Mrs Pretty was present with her husband Brian for today's ruling by Lord Justice Tuckey, Lady Justice Hale and Mr Justice Silber.
PA