The Labour MP behind the assisted dying Bill has defended the legislation amid a bid to torpedo it.

A small group of MPs have put their names to an amendment in an attempt to halt the plans going through the Commons this Friday.

There are concerns about the level of scrutiny Kim Leadbeater’s proposals will get as a Private Member’s Bill rather than a Government Bill.

But Ms Leadbeater, the MP for Spen Valley, insisted the legislation is taking “absolutely the right route” through Parliament.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The route of the Private Member’s Bill is absolutely the right route for taking this legislation through.

“That means that there can be a free vote by all MPs. It is not a Government Bill.

“The Government has a neutral position on this and, sadly, the amendment that a handful of MPs have put forward is disappointing in that the public clearly want this debate to take place, and I think we’ve got responsibilities as parliamentarians to make sure that that debate does take place.”

MPs will be given a free vote when the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill comes before the Commons this Friday, allowing them to make a decision according to their own conscience rather than in line with party policy.

Early education minister Stephen Morgan became the latest MP to confirm he will back the legislation amid Cabinet splits.

The Portsmouth South MP told Sky News: “It’s, I believe, the right thing to do, based on the feedback that I’ve heard from my constituents on this highly emotive issue.”

Asked if he thinks the assisted dying bill will pass, he added: “I really don’t know.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say which way he will vote, saying that he does not want to put pressure on other MPs.

The legislation is backed by the Daily Express’s Give Us Our Last Rights crusade.