James Saunders
Guest Reporter
A series of controversial pro-assisted dying adverts on the London Underground have been covered with Samaritans anti-suicide posters just hours after they were spotted for the first time.
The billboards - which have been labelled "grotesque", "dystopian" and more - form part of a push on MPs to vote through Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying Bill ahead of its first debate in the Commons this Friday.
Westminster station has seen a whole corridor - subsequently dubbed the "Westminster Death Tunnel" - decked out with the ads, promoted by campaign group Dignity in Dying.
But now, the billboards have been covered with posters for the Samaritans, the charity which supports those suffering with emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
Some of the Samaritans posters cover the main slogan of the ads themselves, "my dying wish".
The suicide prevention charity's tagged-on posters read: "Whatever you're facing - we're here to listen," alongside its phone number, 116 123.
It remains unclear whether the posters were put in place by the Samaritans. GB News has approached the charity for more information.
In reaction to the covering-up, political commentator Fleur Elizabeth said: "Well that didn't take long... On my way home and the assisted suicide propaganda has been covered up with suicide prevention posters. Love it!"
MORE ON SADIQ KHAN'S LONDON:
While Yuan Yi Zhu, an Assistant Professor of international relations and international law at the University of Leiden - and long-time euthanasia critic - said: "Thank you to whomever did this!"
Before the anti-suicide posters appeared, the Dignity in Dying adverts had taken significant flak.
Professor Mark Taubert, a palliative medicine consultant to the NHS and professor of medicine at Cardiff University, noted how "in a place where suicides are not uncommon, the Tube, there are now hundreds of adverts for assisted suicide."
While Louis Appleby, the Government's adviser on suicide prevention and mental health, called the campaign "seriously ill-advised", adding it was "careless of the possible risk to people struggling with their mental health".
A spokesman for the Mayor of London told GB News he has "no involvement in approving or deciding which ads run on the TfL network, and TfL's policy reflects legal requirements".
Dignity in Dying says: "For too many dying people right now, their dying wish is simply for choice and control at the end of their life.
"If passed, Kim Leadbeater MBE MP's Bill will mean that, finally, their wishes - our wishes - can be respected.
"It's time for MPs to let us choose. Together we need to show them why they must vote Yes to the choice at the end of life bill and legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.
"That’s why we’re taking dying wishes to the heart of Westminster."
GB News has approached TfL, Global, and Dignity in Dying for comment.
Find Out More...
The billboards - which have been labelled "grotesque", "dystopian" and more - form part of a push on MPs to vote through Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying Bill ahead of its first debate in the Commons this Friday.
Westminster station has seen a whole corridor - subsequently dubbed the "Westminster Death Tunnel" - decked out with the ads, promoted by campaign group Dignity in Dying.
But now, the billboards have been covered with posters for the Samaritans, the charity which supports those suffering with emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
Some of the Samaritans posters cover the main slogan of the ads themselves, "my dying wish".
The suicide prevention charity's tagged-on posters read: "Whatever you're facing - we're here to listen," alongside its phone number, 116 123.
It remains unclear whether the posters were put in place by the Samaritans. GB News has approached the charity for more information.
In reaction to the covering-up, political commentator Fleur Elizabeth said: "Well that didn't take long... On my way home and the assisted suicide propaganda has been covered up with suicide prevention posters. Love it!"
MORE ON SADIQ KHAN'S LONDON:
- Howard Cox blasts Sadiq Khan over controversial Islamic preacher TfL advert
- Khan's 'problems' with Starmer exposed as Tories unveil masterplan to take back London
- 'Vanity project!' Sadiq Khan blasted for 'squandering hard-earned cash' on woke Overground rebrand
While Yuan Yi Zhu, an Assistant Professor of international relations and international law at the University of Leiden - and long-time euthanasia critic - said: "Thank you to whomever did this!"
Before the anti-suicide posters appeared, the Dignity in Dying adverts had taken significant flak.
Professor Mark Taubert, a palliative medicine consultant to the NHS and professor of medicine at Cardiff University, noted how "in a place where suicides are not uncommon, the Tube, there are now hundreds of adverts for assisted suicide."
While Louis Appleby, the Government's adviser on suicide prevention and mental health, called the campaign "seriously ill-advised", adding it was "careless of the possible risk to people struggling with their mental health".
A spokesman for the Mayor of London told GB News he has "no involvement in approving or deciding which ads run on the TfL network, and TfL's policy reflects legal requirements".
Dignity in Dying says: "For too many dying people right now, their dying wish is simply for choice and control at the end of their life.
"If passed, Kim Leadbeater MBE MP's Bill will mean that, finally, their wishes - our wishes - can be respected.
"It's time for MPs to let us choose. Together we need to show them why they must vote Yes to the choice at the end of life bill and legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.
"That’s why we’re taking dying wishes to the heart of Westminster."
GB News has approached TfL, Global, and Dignity in Dying for comment.
Find Out More...