By STEWART PATERSON and CAROLINE WILSON

THE Scottish Government has pledged to begin a consultation immediately on an opt out system of organ donation, which could save up to 70 lives a year.

MSPs are due to debate and vote today on the principles of the Transplantation Bill inspired by the Evening Times Opt for Life campaign, but SNP ministers argue elements of the bill are flawed.

In a last minute intervention, Maureen Watt Public Health Minister, has laid an amendment in the debate stating the government will consult with a view to legislating itself.

The announcement is a victory for the campaign as it is the first time the government has recognised the merits of opt out.

The minister has now said it will progress with a “workable system”, if MSPs reject the bill brought forward by Labour MSP, Anne McTaggart.

Ms McTaggart has urged MSPs to back her bill which has the backing of health experts

She said: “It has been a real privilege to be part of the Opt For Life campaign and bring the Bill forward to this point.

“I have always made it clear that this bill does not belong to one MSP or one party; organ donation is an issue that crosses party lines.”

Ms Watt will ask MSPs to reject the Bill and back her plans for a new consultation instead.

Both the BMA and British Heart Foundation Scotland have urged the SNP government to legislate itself if the bill is rejected.

The minister said there are serious concerns about the practical impact of the Bill, and wants MSPS instead to agree to ask the Government to start developing a workable soft opt-out system for Scotland.

Ms Watt said: “This Bill has helped to raise the profile of the debate about how we can increase the number of organ donors.

“What is clear is that both the public and MSPs share a desire to look again at what more can be done to help the hundreds of people that are waiting for a life-saving transplant in Scotland each year.

“That is why we propose starting work now on a detailed consultation to look at the best methods of achieving this in the next parliament.”