The inquiry found several areas where the Welsh Government’s response should’ve been different

The Welsh NHS came “close to collapse” during the pandemic, according to the Covid-19 inquiry. Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett said the healthcare system “teetered on the brink of total collapse” throughout the pandemic and “only just” coped with the pressure it was placed under.

She concluded a complete collapse of the entire system was only “narrowly avoided” because of the “extraordinary efforts of all those working in the healthcare systems”.

The latest 387-page report, which looks at the impact the pandemic had on the NHS in all parts of the UK, says Covid-19’s devastating impact on the NHS was “unsurprising” given the “parlous state” the service was in at the start of the crisis.

The report forms part of the UK Covid Inquiry which is made up of 10 different modules. This latest one, released on Thursday, examines healthcare systems in all parts of the UK. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here.

Shielding letters took too long and went to wrong addresses

One area which was examined in the report was shielding letters sent out to clinically extremely vulnerable people at the start of the pandemic. The inquiry found that in Wales this was a “significant and complex task” and the time it took to produce the letters therefore led to a delay of at least two weeks in the letters arriving.

It was concluded the Welsh Government’s pre-pandemic planning was inadequate making the planning and delivery of the shielding programme even more challenging.

The inquiry added: “Sir Frank Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales from August 2016 to January 2025, told the Inquiry that there had been a ‘huge effort to try to improve’ the data systems required to identify at-risk people rapidly but that they were still not in place in September 2024. He told the onquiry: ‘[W]e are behind the curve in Wales on digital records.’”

It also found the content of official communications regarding the shielding programme was affected by problems with data systems and record-keeping. This led to the Welsh Government sending 13,000 of the 91,000 shielding letters to the wrong addresses and children with Down’s syndrome mistakenly receiving letters.

Birthing partner policy should’ve changed earlier

Another issue which arose in the report was the Welsh Government’s stance on whether fathers and birthing partners should be subject to the same restrictions as ‘visitors’. The inquiry highlighted how Wales was the last UK nation to amend the policy for them, on May 9, 2022, and found this change was too slow to be implemented.

Eluned Morgan accepted that the Welsh Government “took too long to make those changes”.

Care was not escalated for those with ‘remote’ chances of recovery

The inquiry also found how some people in Wales were not escalated to the next level of care because, as a critical care doctor in Wales told the inquiry, there was not “enough space to ‘give people a go’ who had a very remote chance of getting better”.

Lack of PPE in Welsh healthcare settings

The report also found it was clear that healthcare workers did at points lack access to appropriate PPE and outlined examples from the UK. A consultant in Wales recalled: “At the start, despite knowing of the virus spread, no PPE was provided. Not even masks let alone thinking of level two PPE for aerosolgenerating procedures. This was when many of my colleagues and I became ill.”

Abandoned 111 calls

Due to the increased demand of people calling 111 more calls were being abandoned by callers before reaching the front of the queue. In Wales 43.3% of calls to the NHS 111 service were abandoned in March 2020. However the inquiry said a change in Welsh Government advice in April 2020 led to fewer abandoned calls when they encouraged the use of the NHS Direct Wales website.

‘Deeply distressing’ experiences of people dying alone

The report also detailed the “devastating impact” of restrictions which led to many dying alone. It found that although such restrictions “may be unavoidable” in a pandemic visits for dying patients should be suspended “for the shortest time possible”.

One case which was highlighted was that of Sam Smith-Higgins, part of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, who had to say goodbye to her father by text message. She said: “I received a call from the doctor who told us that he had deteriorated and that he was dying.

“To not be able to be with my father and to hear that news was completely devastating. He was with a nurse and so I was constrained to saying my farewell to my father by text message with the hope that it would be read out to him.

“It is truly difficult to put into words how painful it is to say farewell to a loved one by text message.”

Withdrawing medicine delivery ‘premature’ in Wales

Unlike other UK nations medicine delivery support in Wales was not funded and available throughout the second wave of the pandemic. Instead it was ended on August 16, 2020, and never reinstated.

The inquiry found it was clear this support, which helped clinically vulnerable people receive medications, would’ve been needed in Wales throughout the second wave and had therefore been withdrawn prematurely. It also detailed how community pharmacists had been key in ensuring vulnerable individuals could access their medications.

One community pharmacist in Wales, Jonathan Rees, told the inquiry: “My wife and I would walk around our village delivering on the weekend with our three young children to ensure everybody received what they needed.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said in a written statement: “The pandemic placed significant pressures on health and care services in Wales and across the UK. We acknowledge the considerable impact this had on patients, staff, the wider workforce and families affected by Covid-19.

“The Welsh Government continues to engage with the inquiry in an open and constructive manner as we have done in relation to the first two reports.

“The inquiry requires a response to the module three report and recommendations within six months of publication.”

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Vice President JD Vance, who has long been considered a potential successor to President Donald Trump, could face political problems in 2028 as a result of the Iran war, according to a new report.

People close to Vance told The Washington Post that if the conflict with Iran lasts for months, it could pose a political problem for whoever secures the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. However, Vance still hasn’t decided whether he’ll run, the outlet’s sources also said.

The vice president has publicly voiced his support for Trump’s war with Iran. While Vance has previously criticized prolonged foreign involvement, he’s also pushed back on suggestions that his past comments indicate he’s not aligned with the president.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” Vance said Monday, when confronted about his previous statements on American interventionism.

“You’re trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration, between me and the president. What the president has said consistently, going back to 2015, and I agreed with him, is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Still, the president has said Vance was “maybe less enthusiastic” at the beginning of the conflict.

“We get along very well on this,” Trump told reporters last week. “He was, I would say, philosophically a little bit different than me. I think he was maybe less enthusiastic about going, but he was quite enthusiastic.”

“But I felt it was something we had to do. I didn’t feel we had a choice,” he continued. “If we didn’t do it, they would have done it to us.”

Vance also reportedly met with Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned over the war with Iran. The vice president urged him to “go quietly” and not make his resignation a “big thing,” a U.S. official told The Washington Post.

The Independent has contacted Vance’s office for comment.

This comes after Politico reported that Vance privately expressed skepticism about the U.S. attacking Iran before Trump made his final decision. Still, the Trump administration has maintained that the two men are aligned on the issue.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly previously told The Independent that “efforts to drive a wedge between President Trump and Vice President Vance are totally misguided.” Vance spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk told Politico the vice president is “a proud member of the President’s national security team” and “keeps his counsel to the President private.”

Others have also speculated about the conflict’s impact on the 2028 election, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican lawmaker who resigned from her House seat late last year after a public falling-out with Trump.

When asked by CNN’s Pamela Brown if the Iran war could hurt the vice president’s chances of becoming Trump’s successor, the ex-lawmaker replied: “The longer it goes on, it definitely does hurt JD Vance.”

The new price increases will see some people paying £239.50

The UK Government has announced a price increase for passport applications from next month. New fee for passport applications will be implemented from April 8.

The exact amount the fee will rise is subject to approval by Parliament but a proposal from the UK Government sets out for the increase to as much as £239.50 for some.

Funds raised by application fees reduces the Home Office’s reliance on funding from general taxation and the government does not profit from the costs.

In 2025 a total of 99.7% of standard passport applications from the UK were processed within three weeks if they did not require further information. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.

The proposals for the fee change are as follows:

• the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £94.50 to £102 for adults and £61.50 to £66.50 for children
• postal applications will increase from £107 to £115.50 for adults and £74 to £80 for children
• the fee for a premium service (one-day) application made from within the UK will rise from £222 to £239.50
• the fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £108 to £116.50 for adults and £70 to £75.50 for children
• overseas standard paper applications will increase from £120.50 to £130 for adults and £82.50 to £89 for children

The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

Sheriff John MacRitchie wrote about the dangers of relying upon the cutting edge software in a judgement issued on Thursday at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court

A judge has warned AI users they could face contempt of court proceedings after the technology invented fake legislation and fictitious references in a case he heard.

Sheriff John MacRitchie wrote about the dangers of relying upon the cutting edge software in a judgement issued on Thursday at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. Sheriff MacRitchie told of how he presided in an action brought by landlords called Your Home Partners. The firm were seeking £5,000 rent arrears from two former tenants at one of their properties.

The judge writes of how when the case called at Kirkcaldy, Your Home Partners told the sheriff they were relying upon legislation called the Interest on Debts (Scotland) Act 1985. The company also told the court that they were relying upon decisions made by tribunals who had heard similar cases.

Officials in Kirkcaldy repeatedly told Your Home Partners that the sheriff court wasn’t the correct place to hear the case and it should raise an action at a first tier tribunal. The company was acting by itself and hadn’t instructed professional lawyers. However, the firm kept on relying on legal authority which resulted in Sheriff MacRitchie allowing the matter to be argued before him.

Sheriff MacRitchie said he was unable to find the legislation or the cases which Your Home Partners were using to support their legal arguments. Court staff contacted the tribunals concerned and were told the cases hadn’t existed. Your home Partners also later conceded the cases and legislation didn’t exist and it had used AI in preparing its case.

Sheriff MacRitchie wrote that he had to consider whether Your Home Partners had wasted court time and were therefore in contempt of court. In the judgement issued on Thursday, the judge made mention to an English case involving Haringey Law Centre and Haringey Council.

In what is thought to be the first time the matter has arisen in Scots law, Sheriff MacRitchie wrote about how AI use had the potential to clog up valuable court time. In recent years, Scots courts have been working through a back log of cases caused by the pandemic.

He wrote: “The lodging of false legal references has the potential to obstruct justice. Indeed, my understanding of the position was so clear that I would not have assigned a discussion in this matter had it not been maintained by the claimant that there existed these referenced cases said to support a view contrary to my understanding.

“Accordingly, I have given consideration as to whether I am required to commence contempt of court proceedings. There is no reason why that duty should not also apply to lay persons, as otherwise the management of cases in courts and therefore the course of justice could be significantly obstructed.”

In the Haringey case, lawyers for the law centre challenged the London borough over its alleged failure to provide its client with temporary accommodation. During these proceedings, its lawyer cited phantom case law five times. Suspicions were raised when the solicitor defending the council had to repeatedly query why they could not find any trace of the supposed authorities.

It resulted in a legal action for wasted legal costs and a court found the law centre and its lawyer, a pupil barrister, were negligent. The barrister denied using AI in that case but said she may have inadvertently done so while using Google or Safari in preparation for a separate case where she also cited phantom authorities. In that case she said she may have taken account of AI summaries without realising what they were.

In the judgement about the case, English judge Dame Victoria Sharp said there were “serious implications for the administration of justice and public confidence in the justice system if artificial intelligence is misused” and that lawyers misusing AI could face contempt of court proceedings and police investigation.

In the judgment published on Thursday, Sheriff MacRitchie decided not to hold Your Home Partners in contempt of court. The judge decided that the evidence showed that Your Home Partners actions didn’t “knowingly” attempt to “interfere with the administration of justice” by wasting court time.

He wrote: “However, there was a degree of recklessness in the claimant delaying verifying that the references produced by Artificial Intelligence were genuine, until only after the relative submissions were lodged. There is a fine line in this instance between whether the claimant and its individual partners, even as lay persons, have shown contempt for the court by not reasonably checking that such references were genuine before using them in this manner, or otherwise.”

The judgement tells of how Your Home Partners’ bid to recover the alleged rent arrears in the sheriff court was dismissed. Sheriff MacRitchie said the law states that the correct place to pursue the action is a specialist tribunal.

He wrote: “The claim is therefore dismissed as the sheriff court has neither jurisdiction nor competence to make the order sought. What this claim does highlight, is the dangers of a reckless reliance on Artificial Intelligence by any party without verifying that the same is genuine, and the potential for a party being found in contempt of court in circumstances such as these, even if done in good faith.”

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Last One Laughing UK season 2 returned to Prime Video on 19 March and fans are desperate to know when episode 4 will drop

Last One Laughing fans face a tough wait for the next episode.

Last One Laughing UK has just made a triumphant return to Prime Video with its second series, and fans may already be taken aback by the unfolding events.

A fresh group of comedians have stepped up to the plate, tasked with the challenge of making each other chuckle without cracking a smile themselves.

This year’s line-up boasts some formidable contenders including Sam Campbell, Diane Morgan, Romesh Ranganathan and David Mitchell, with Bob Mortimer returning to defend his reigning champion title.

The first trio of episodes landed on Prime Video on March 19, leaving fans hanging in suspense as they eagerly await the release of future instalments.

Here’s everything you need to know about when episode four will drop, along with a glance at the full episode schedule.

The celebrated comedy series, which marked Prime Video’s most successful UK debut ever, continues to be a massive hit among viewers.

Once again, the show unites ten renowned comedians who must keep a straight face as they strive to knock out their competitors.

The UK edition follows in the footsteps of successful international versions, and there’s also a well-liked Irish adaptation of the programme.

Host Jimmy Carr shared his thoughts on the new series: “This is an all-star line-up and there are lots of players who are genuinely friends of mine.

“What’s great is the line-up contains the breadth of British comedy, because you want there to be some great stand-ups, but you also want great actors, too.”

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Last One Laughing episode release schedule

The fourth episode of Last One Laughing UK’s second series will arrive on Prime Video on March 26, which means viewers will need to hold tight for another week.

Fortunately, episode five will also become available on the same date, giving fans two episodes to enjoy consecutively.

Following that, there will be another seven-day wait before episode six, the concluding instalment, which arrives on April 2.

The complete release timetable is as follows:

Episode 1 – March 19

Episode 2 – March 19

Episode 3 – March 19

Episode 4 – March 26

Episode 5 – March 26

Episode 6 – April 2

This represents a different rollout strategy compared to the inaugural series, which was divided into just two segments rather than three.

Last One Laughing UK returns to Prime Video on March 26

Iran targeted energy facilities across the Middle East on March 18, including the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub in Qatar, in retaliation for Israeli strikes on an Iranian gas field hours earlier.

Iran has gone on to attack other energy facilities across the Gulf. This has included hitting a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea and setting two Kuwaiti oil refineries ablaze in an intensification of its campaign against energy infrastructure in the region.

As an expert on military strategy, I see the Iranian attacks on Gulf energy facilities as part of a broader strategic agenda the regime in Tehran has employed to try and ensure its survival.

Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure since the start of the conflict have been accompanied with wider missile and drone strikes against US military bases and infrastructure in the region. Through these attacks, which have killed seven American service personnel so far, the regime has looked to demonstrate its capacity and capability not only to international audiences but also the Iranian population.

This includes, perhaps most importantly, those responsible for maintaining Iran’s internal security. If those tasked with this responsibility began to doubt the regime’s capacity to respond to attack, they might become less inclined to suppress rebellions and uprisings.

The ability to exercise force has long been central to maintaining the regime’s domestic political position in Iran. This has been demonstrated by the brutal repression of various protest movements over the past decade or so.

In its attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, Iran has two main goals. The first is to hit the Gulf states economically in the hope that this will reduce their willingness to provide support to the US.

Gulf countries are heavily reliant on the export of energy for revenue. In Qatar, for example, earnings from the hydrocarbon sector accounted for 83% of total government revenues in 2023. These revenues help Gulf states maintain the low tax regime that is enjoyed by their populations.

If these revenues reduce substantially because energy cannot be processed, some of these nations may begin to question their alliances with the US. Such a scenario would reduce the ability of the US to conduct military operations in the Middle East and project its power and influence on the region.

The war is already having a significant impact on these countries. Goldman Sachs has estimated that Qatar and Kuwait could see their GDP drop by 14% if the war lasts until the end of April. Likewise, Capital Economics has suggested that GDP in the region could fall by between 10% to 15% if the conflict causes lasting damage to energy infrastructure.

Rifts do not yet appear to be emerging between the US and its Middle Eastern allies. But Tehran will be calculating that prolonged attacks – alongside continued disruption to the vital strait of Hormuz shipping lane – will add strain to relations.

Raising energy prices

Iran’s second, and wider, goal is to raise global energy prices. The Middle East is a key energy supplier globally, so disruption to supplies in this region can have an almost immediate impact on prices.

The price of a barrel of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil pricing, has increased from around US$68 (£51) on February 27 to nearly US$100. This has so far largely been the result of disruption to the strait of Hormuz, which has prevented the Gulf states from supplying their energy to global markets.

But Tehran’s calculation appears to be that further efforts to reduce Gulf energy supplies will force nations worldwide, who are having to implement costly policies to reduce the impact of increased energy prices on their populations, to question the actions of the US in Iran.

In the Philippines, which is highly dependent on the Gulf oil, the government has told its agencies to cut electricity and fuel use by between 10% and 20%. Vietnam has introduced work-from-home policies for many public sector workers. And the UK government has announced a £53 million support package for people who rely on oil for central heating.

Iran’s final strategic consideration is that attacking energy facilities may help erode domestic support for Trump in the US. This could force a change in political direction. The price of petrol has already increased to an average of US$3.60 per gallon in the US – a level not seen since the opening days of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

This price increase will be passed on to consumers, creating a headache for Trump ahead of midterm elections in November. Trump’s platform of reducing the inflation seen under the Biden administration was a key part of the election campaign that successfully returned him to the White House.

Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure are likely to continue. This is because they enable the regime in Tehran to increase the costs of the war even to those who are not directly involved, ramping up global pressure on the US to draw the conflict to a close.

The Northern Irish companies are among 389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers.

Twenty-three Northern Irish companies have been ‘named and shamed’ by the UK Government for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage.

The findings come alongside enforcement action against businesses failing to pay their staff the legal National Minimum Wage, making clear that workers won’t be made to pay for the mistakes or negligence of those they work for, regardless of how big or well-known they are.

New figures show a total of around £12.6 million in penalties have been issued to 389 employers, with these fines coming on top of the repaid wages.

In total, 2,240 employees at Northern Irish-based companies were underpaid a total of £157,695.53.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The vast majority of businesses in this country do the right thing by paying their staff properly and playing by the rules. It’s not fair on them when others are able to get ahead by not paying the wages their workers are owed.

“A good employer doesn’t build their business on the back of unpaid wages, and I look forward to working with the new Fair Work Agency to ensure its powers are used to crack down on those who think the rules don’t apply to them.”

This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently, putting more pressure on employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosting workers’ confidence that when they’re treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.

Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned. I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay. We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.

“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don’t get caught out.”

This is also the final naming round before the Fair Work Agency begins its work on 7 April, a brand-new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.

Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed.

This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.

Today’s announcement also comes ahead of further increases to the minimum wage, which will see the lowest earners over 21 years old receive an annual pay boost of £900 for those working full time. Coming alongside the decision to extend Statutory Sick Pay to 3 million more workers, freeze the 5p fuel duty cut and cap energy prices so that households save £117 on their bills next month.

Full list of NI companies named and shamed

• Omniplex Holdings (NI) Limited, Lisburn, BT28, failed to pay £43,611.37 to 973 workers
• Stix & Stones (NI) Ltd, Belfast, BT1, failed to pay £3,546.29 to 38 workers.
• Belmont Hospitality Limited, Banbridge, BT32, failed to pay £3,148.25 to 30 workers.
• K Magill and Co Ltd, Dungannon, BT70, failed to pay £2,198.45 to 1 worker.
• Clinker Pubs Limited, Belfast, BT5, failed to pay £1,662.99 to 6 workers.
• Botanic Way Limited, Belfast, BT7, failed to pay £1,326.70 to 36 workers.
• Marlborough Engineering Limited, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £1,129.82 to 1 worker.
• J.D. McGeown Limited, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £1,015.02 to 3 workers.
• Margaret Forbes Ltd, Belfast, BT1, failed to pay £982.72 to 2 workers
• Mrs Fiona Loughran, Mrs Denise McCann and Mr B McCann, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £920.38 to 16 workers.
• Kamakura Sushi & Ramen Limited, Belfast, BT7, failed to pay £818.19 to 25 workers.
• Mr Tony Cheuk and Mr Peter Cheuk, Coleraine, BT52, failed to pay £808.60 to 16 workers.
• Northside Graphics Limited, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £753.24 to 4 workers.
• Blethers (N.I.) Ltd, Belfast, BT6, failed to pay £559.02 to 6 workers.
• Millars Fish N Chips Limited, Newtownards, BT23, failed to pay £522.11 to 13 workers.
• P.G. McGillion (Motors) Limited, Strabane, BT82, failed to pay £4,363.05 to 6 workers.
• Clear Healthcare, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £5,295.45 to 33 workers.
• The Ballykelly Group Ltd, Banbridge, BT32, failed to pay £5,630.96 to 15 workers.
• Over The Rainbow Childcare Limited, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £6,393.71 to 75 workers.
• North Down (Belfast) Limited, Belfast, BT11, failed to pay £7,179.60 to 21 workers.
• Garlor Limited, Belfast, BT8, failed to pay £7,288.03 to 527 workers.
• Dale Farm Cooperative Ltd, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £15,773.25 to 96 workers.
• Linden Foods, Dungannon, BT70, failed to pay £38,987.87 to 296 workers.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Wing Kyle Steyn, fly-half Finn Russell and back row Rory Darge are named from a Scotland side which recovered from an opening defeat by Italy to claim three wins and secure third place in the championship.

Italy won two matches in finishing fourth in the table, with their performance reflected in the selection of hooker Giacomo Nicotera, prop Simone Ferrari and centre Tommaso Menoncello.

Prop Rhys Carre, who went over for a storming score against Ireland, is the sole representative from Wales, who finished their campaign on a high by sealing victory over the Italians.

England’s only win of the tournament came against Wales in their opening game as their fifth-place finish, with just eight points, was their worst in the history of the Six Nations.

Six Nations Team of the Tournament: Thomas Ramos (France); Kyle Steyn (Scotland), Tommaso Menoncello (Italy), Stuart McCloskey (Ireland), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France); Finn Russell (Scotland), Antoine Dupont (France); Rhys Carre (Wales), Giacomo Nicotera (Italy), Simone Ferrari (Italy), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Mickael Guillard (France), Jack Conan (Ireland), Rory Darge (Scotland), Caelan Doris (Ireland).

A brother whose sister travelled from the UK to Dignitas is pleading with the House of Lords to “show some compassion” as he recalls the last time he saw her alive.

Terminally ill protesters will be outside Parliament on Friday to mark the second anniversary of Paola Marra’s death at Dignitas.

The grim anniversary coincides with the 11th Day of Committee Stage and Dying In Dignity with their campaigners are urging the Lords to stop ‘blocking’ the bill and remember Paola. Before Paula, the ex-wife of Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, travelled to the Swiss clinic she was in “unbearable” pain from breast and bowel cancer. But the former music industry and charity worker, 53, put that aside to make a film about the need for a UK law change. It began: “When you watch this, I will be dead.

Her brother, actor and film maker, Tony Marra, 56, who lives in Canada, told of the last time he saw his sister alive.

OPINION

READ MORE: Assisted dying bill defeat won’t stop change in England, campaigners vow

“It was a video call and she was at Dignitas. The connection wasn’t very strong, so we were kind of speaking over each other, one of those awkward conversations,” he said.

Finally, she said, “I’ve got to go,” and we said, “I love you.” The look on her face – I’ll never forget – it was just full of love and despite the bad connection, that look of love came through.”

Asked how he coped knowing she was alone in Switzerland, he said: “I was gutted. I really wanted to be there with her. I told her I just need a day’s notice and I’ll fly over. I said I want to respect your wishes and she said, ‘I want to do this. I need to do it alone.’

“She was determined to see it through and not get me in trouble. I think it’s cruel. Thankfully the people at Dignitas are very loving. She spoke about them before she died, so that was reassuring.”

His sister made two films, one to be released to the public and one for her brother and friends. In the former she said: “I’m choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence.

“The pain and suffering can become unbearable. It’s a slow erosion of dignity, the loss of independence, the stripping away of everything that makes life worth living.

“Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, it’s about reclaiming control. It’s not about death, it’s about dignity. It’s about giving people the right to end their suffering on their own terms, with compassion and respect.

“So, as you watch this, I am dead. But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying.”

Her brother said in a message to the House of Lords: “I would ask them to have some compassion and put their personal beliefs, whether they be religious or political, aside.

“Think of those who are currently dying and even those who have yet to be diagnosed, those are the ones that will benefit from law change.”

Of the assisted dying bill defeat in Scotland this week, he said: “I was a little gutted because I thought it would create great momentum and show that the country wants it and the Scottish want it.

“But I think that we’re heading in the right direction. There’s more MSPs that have voted for it than ever, so. I think we’ll get there in Scotland eventually. But it was tough.

“I’m remaining optimistic [about England]. I think the bill will fail. I think that’s obvious. But I think that we need to get it back into the h

House of Commons. I think there’s more appetite than before actually because even MPs that have voted against the bill are really angry about what these few peers have done.”

He told how despite his sister’s “unbearable” pain she had a date organised for her death and was determined to “celebrate her life with her friends”.

“She loved London and when she had a date picked, I came to the tea party and really celebrated. We weren’t able to explore London like we used to, but just to be with her was very sweet.”

He told when she was first diagnosed he had been with her and had spoken of him joining her in Switzerland.

“But as she dug in and researched, she found that I might be, in trouble if I went with her, so she said, ‘Tony, as much as I like you there, you can’t. So I honoured her wishes’.

“She really wanted to make a mark when the video was really incredible to me. To be able to organise that as she was dying was remarkable.

“She was in pain throughout, but she really wanted to do something before she died. So that’s why I’m so proud to try to keep her voice alive.

“She was very open about what she was going through. So she had a lot of drug treatments, chemotherapy, and a lot of surgeries.

“And with the surgeries on her bowel, often when it healed, it would create lesions and then blockages. So those blockages were quite painful, the scar tissue. And then there were side effects from those blockages. Quite horrendous.” He described how people are unable to have an assisted death in the UK as “cruel”.

“She knew that as she got close to the end that those side effects would prevail and so the pain plus those side-effects were something she wanted to avoid.”

Tony explained how his wife has secondary breast cancer and as they live in Toronto has access to an assisted death “should she choose that”.

Dying in Dignity, who organised Friday’s protest, said: “While the Lords scrutinise this Bill, people are still being failed by the current law in the same way Paola was,” they said.

“Two years on, Paola’s anniversary is a powerful moment to ask: what has changed, and what hasn’t?

“This Bill has been supported by MPs in 2 free votes and enjoys significant public support, yet it is being blocked by a small group of unelected peers who all have historic opposition to the principle of assisted dying.”

Opponents raised several concerns about the proposed bill in England and Scotland, particularly fears of people being coerced into an assisted death.

Independent MSP Jeremy Balfour – born with no left arm and a right arm that ends at the elbow – said disabled people were “terrified” of assisted dying legislation.

He warned the bill would open “a pandora’s box” and said there could be “no meaningful protection” against coercion.