British Couple Die At Swiss Euthanasia Clinic

A man and his wife both suffering from terminal cancer have become the first British couple to commit suicide at a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland.

Peter and Penelope Duff, from Bath, aged 80 and 70, died together at the Dignitas clinic near Zurich last week, their family confirmed.

Retired businessman Mr Duff was suffering from colon and liver cancer, while his 70-year-old wife was suffering from a rare form of the disease, Gist (gastrointestinal stromal tumour) since 1992.

Mr Duff was a respected expert on wine and the couple were well-known patrons of the arts in Bath.

A family statement, released on Thursday said: "Peter and Penny Duff passed away peacefully together in Zurich after a long battle against their terminal cancer on the 27th February. Penny had fought a rare cancer, Gist, since 1992 and Peter's colon cancer had spread to his liver.

"Their decision in no way reflected on the wonderful and humbling care they have received from their consultant, doctors and nurses, for which the family, and they, were so appreciative."

Mr Duff made his fortune in the wine trade and founded The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, which aims to educate people about the world's wines.

He was also the chairman of the Alcohol in Moderation support group, of which the couple's daughter Helena remains the executive director.

A spokesman for the anti-euthanasia group Care Not Killing said: "This is a desperately sad and unusual case of a couple in a state of distress.

"However, hard cases make bad law and the fact remains that if euthanasia was ever legalised in Britain vulnerable and seriously ill people would come under pressure to end their lives prematurely."

(JM/BMcC)