If the private member’s bill had passed, it would have meant Scotland was the first country in the UK to make assisted dying legal.

The bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, would have allowed terminally ill, mentally competent adults resident in Scotland to receive medical help to end their lives.

Critics of the bill had warned that it risked people being coerced to end their lives and questioned whether there were enough safeguards.

There were also fears about the impact on medical professionals, including doctors, when a key protection was removed from the bill at stage three. Section 18 had provided statutory protections for clinicians who chose not to participate in assisted dying, and assurance that their decision would not affect their employment, regulatory standing or professional relationships.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland said ahead of the vote that removing this section would reduce parliamentary scrutiny and could create uncertainty for clinicians about their professional rights and duties.

The bill was rejected on Tuesday after an emotional four-hour debate, by 69 votes to 57. Mr McArthur said he was deeply disappointed, but that conversation on the issue would continue.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) bill would have made it legal for eligible patients (with less than six months to live) to end their own life with a lethal drug provided by a medical practitioner or authorised health professional. Patients would have to provide two written declarations about their wishes and pass checks by doctors.

A bill that would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales is currently being scrutinised by the House of Lords.