HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is to stay at Westminster tomorrow to support a back bench Bill preventing doctors from causing the death of a patient by withholding medical treatment, food or water.

He has responded to more than 100 letters from constituents urging him to back Tory Ann Winterton's measure.

And he is hopeful that the Medical Treatments (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill will become law.

As well as individual local people, Roman Catholic Mr Pope has also been contacted by most local Christian church denominations asking him to back the Bill.

He said: "Euthanasia is a very serious matter and I have been contacted my many of my constituents who are concerned about the issue.

"I studied a draft of the Bill before forming my opinion and I am convinced that it will fulfil our obligations under article two of the European Convention of Human Rights which states that no-one should be deprived of his or her life intentionally.

"I am pleased to be able to give my assurance that I will stay in the House of Commons tomorrow and vote for the Bill.

"This will prevent doctors from withholding treatment, food and water from patients in order to take their life.

"Unfortunately, I understand that this has happened in a number of cases.

"The Government has not expressed a view on this issue as it is number one on the list of Private Members Bills, there should be enough time for it to get through.

"I am very hopeful that it will become law."

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