There is doubt over assisted dying after its Labour MP sponsor agreed to postponing the implementation of the law until after the next election, reports say. The MP behind the bill, Kim Leadbeater, has proposed delaying the introduction of assisted dying in England and Wales for two years until 2029, according to The Telegraph.

It is thought she agreed to the delay after civil servants involved in the drafting amendments told her the Bill was unworkable. The Health Secretary said on Tuesday that Ms Leadbeater had backed down after ministers said the legislation could not be delivered in two years. Speaking at a Guardian event, Wes Streeting - who has opposed assisted dying - praised Ms Leadbeater for her work.

“It would have been really easy for her to say ‘hang on a minute, four years, that’s twice as long as two years, and will this ever happen’,” he said, according to The Telegraph.

“Instead what she’s done is work constructively with ministers, listened to the arguments about how long it would take to implement, and she’s shown willingness to compromise.”

Despite this, a spokesman for Ms Leadbeater said assisted dying could still happen and that 2029 was a “backstop”.

The spokesman said the Bill included “even stronger safeguards” than when it was first tabled but warned this would “inevitably take longer to implement”.

“But the four-year limit is not a target, it’s a backstop. Kim hopes and believes the service can be delivered more quickly if it becomes law later this year,” the spokesman said.

The Bill was passed in November and has since been undergoing close scrutiny by a committee of MPs including both supporters and opponents.

The Bill seeks to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people in the last six months of their life.