Judge backs patient in 'right to live' case

A terminally ill man today won a victory in his legal challenge to official health guidance which he feared could lead to him being allowed to die against his wishes. Leslie Burke, 44, of Lancaster, has a degenerative brain condition but wants to go on living until he dies naturally.

He fears reaching the point where, unable to communicate, he is denied food and water and takes weeks to die of starvation or thirst. He asked the High Court to

rule that guidelines for doctors by the General Medical Council could breach his "right to life" under European law.

Mr Justice Munby ruled he has a "right to relief" over aspects of GMC advice. This is expected to be agreements on artificial nutrition and hydration. The GMC said its advice was misinterpreted and no patient would be mistreated.