Former First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he will not vote for a bill which would legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
A new law allowing terminally-ill people to take their own life, put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, will be voted on at the Scottish Parliament on 13 May.
Yousaf said there were "not strong enough safeguards" to prevent vulnerable members of society from being coerced into ending their life under proposed legislation.
He joins John Swinney, who succeeded him as first minister and SNP leader, in his opposition to the legislation, adding it would "open a door that cannot be closed".
If the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill passes, it would allow patients to request medical assistance to end their own life.
However it would only be permitted under strict circumstances – if the person had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors.
MSPs will be allowed a free vote on the issue at Holyrood next week, meaning parties will not compel their members to back a particular position.
