I met the campaigner Debbie Purdy this week, as she was in Parliament to listen to MPs debate a motion I had sponsored in support of the Director of Public Prosecution's policy on the application of existing law in cases of assisted suicide.

Debbie's attempts to find out whether her husband would face prosecution should he assist her to die have resulted in the DPP clarifying things for all those in similar situations - they now know that, in certain circumstances, someone acting compassionately will not face prosecution.

I met Debbie in the cafe in Westminster Hall and as we chatted she was approached by a steady stream of people wanting to thank her for all she has done to give people the right to chose how and when they die.

She is full of life and believes passionately in making the most of every opportunity that presents itself - as well as in being allowed to exercise control at the end of that life.

Debbie's story is relatively well known and many MPs speaking in the debate referred to her case.

I was deeply moved too by many of the other personal stories shared by MPs, both about constituents and their own family members. You can read my contribution to the debate here.

The vote at the end of the evening upheld the DPP's policy, a welcome and positive step forward.

We now need a law on assisted dying, and I will carry on working with Debbie and others, and also the wonderful Dignity in Dying, to press for this.