MP cleared of euthanasia

Dr Brand was being investigated by the police

A GP and Liberal Democrat MP has been cleared of any wrongdoing by police after an investigation into the death of one of his patients.

But Dr Peter Brand said the case highlighted the need for legislation to guide doctors on how they should treat dying patients.

Dr Brand, a GP on the Isle of Wight, told the House of Commons in January that he had withdrawn treatment from a two-year-old leukaemia sufferer following a request from the child's parents.

The incident happened in 1973 and the patient subsequently died.

Dr Brand revealed the incident during a debate on the proposed Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill. That bill subsequently failed.

Hampshire police launched an investigation after a member of the public made a complaint about the MP's remarks.

There is a need for government guidelines on end of life events

Dr Peter Brand MP

The investigation failed to uncover any criminal offence, a police spokesman said.

"Dr Peter Brand made a statement to the effect that if the proposed legislation were to be passed he could possibly be said to have committed serious criminal offences in his medical practice," said the spokesman.

"Subsequently, Hampshire Constabulary received a public complaint related to a case Dr Brand had cited in his speech to the House of Commons.

"An investigation was initiated and has now been concluded.

"No evidence of any criminal offence has been revealed and Dr Brand was extremely co-operative during the investigation," he said.

Dr Brand said he was very happy with the outcome.

Speaking to BBC News Online he said: "It is never comfortable to be investigated by police and obviously six or seven months is a long time. I am glad they have come to this conclusion."

But he called on the government to introduce guidelines for doctors and nurses.

"There is a need for government guidelines on end of life events.

"It is very important that doctors and nurses have guidelines that are not just owned by doctors and nurses.

"It should not be left up to the BMA or the RCN to decide how doctors and nurses should carry out their duty of care."

Criticism

However, a spokesman for the pro-family charity Life criticised the police decision.

"Mr Brand was cleared by the police. I was under the impression that we lived in a society that was governed by the rule of law and that involves the courts."

He added: "It's absolutely preposterous that it has not been put before the courts. It hasn't even gone as far as the Crown Prosecution Service, the police decided. It is quite ridiculous."