A former GP dubbed Doctor Death will not be prosecuted for assisting a terminally ill man to commit suicide.
Dr Irwin had been arrested and questioned by police
Dr Michael Irwin paid £1500 towards the cost of 58-year-old Raymond Cutkelvin's death at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.
The 79-year-old had been arrested and questioned by police after he vowed to highlight the "hycocritical British system" surrounding euthanasia.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said there is sufficient evidence to proscute him but it would not be in the public interest.
Mr Cutkelvin's partner of 28 years, Alan Cutkelvin Rees has also been told he will not face prosecution.
Mr Cutkelvin had been diagnosed with an inoperable tumour of the pancreas in 2006 and died the following year at the clinic in Switzerland.
The Dignitas clinic in Switzerland
Mr Starmer said no criminal complaint had been made at the time of Mr Cutkelvin's death but a police inquiry began after coverage in the media.
He added that the dead man had been "strong-minded" and made an "informed decision" to commit suicide "without any pressure" from his partner or anyone else.
He said: "Mr Rees acted throughout as a supportive and loving partner and was wholly motivated by compassion."
Speaking about Dr Irwin, he said the circumstances were more complex, but that he too should not be prosecuted.
He said Dr Irwin cooperated with police and but already has a caution for assisting suicide.
New guidelines on assisted suicide in February outlined that motive should be at the centre of any decision over assisted suicide.
They stated that anyone acting with compassion to help end the life of someone who has decided they cannot go on living is unlikely to face criminal charges.
Assisted suicide does remain a criminal offence in England and Wales, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Dr Irwin had been arrested and questioned by police
Dr Michael Irwin paid £1500 towards the cost of 58-year-old Raymond Cutkelvin's death at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.
The 79-year-old had been arrested and questioned by police after he vowed to highlight the "hycocritical British system" surrounding euthanasia.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said there is sufficient evidence to proscute him but it would not be in the public interest.
Mr Cutkelvin's partner of 28 years, Alan Cutkelvin Rees has also been told he will not face prosecution.
Mr Cutkelvin had been diagnosed with an inoperable tumour of the pancreas in 2006 and died the following year at the clinic in Switzerland.
The Dignitas clinic in Switzerland
Mr Starmer said no criminal complaint had been made at the time of Mr Cutkelvin's death but a police inquiry began after coverage in the media.
He added that the dead man had been "strong-minded" and made an "informed decision" to commit suicide "without any pressure" from his partner or anyone else.
He said: "Mr Rees acted throughout as a supportive and loving partner and was wholly motivated by compassion."
Speaking about Dr Irwin, he said the circumstances were more complex, but that he too should not be prosecuted.
He said Dr Irwin cooperated with police and but already has a caution for assisting suicide.
New guidelines on assisted suicide in February outlined that motive should be at the centre of any decision over assisted suicide.
They stated that anyone acting with compassion to help end the life of someone who has decided they cannot go on living is unlikely to face criminal charges.
Assisted suicide does remain a criminal offence in England and Wales, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.