Suicide workshop 'forced to move'

Dr Nitschke says Exit International will now have a presence in London

A doctor has been forced to scrap plans for a workshop in Dorset showing people how to commit suicide.

Euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke was due in Bournemouth on Thursday but was forced to rethink when two potential venues pulled out.

Workshop participants are given advice on how to die peacefully and shown DIY suicide kits, Dr Nitschke said.

A new meeting is planned at the Langham Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on Sunday.

Dr Nitschke is in the UK to promote Exit International, a voluntary euthanasia information and advocacy group.

But Bournemouth Borough Council cancelled the booking at the Bournemouth Adult Centre, saying the workshop was "inappropriate".

'Strong interest'

A booking was then made at the Hermitage Hotel, also in the town, last week.

However, that was later cancelled by the hotel.

I think with all the attention it was best to move Exit International spokeswoman

A spokeswoman for the group said there had been "strong interest" in the workshop in Dorset.

She added: "It is a big disappointment but if they don't want us then we won't come.

"I think with all the attention it was best to move.

"But we are looking forward to coming to Eastbourne."

Dr Nitschke held his first workshop in the UK in London on Monday.

He was the first doctor in the world to administer lethal injections to end four patients' lives after voluntary euthanasia was made legal in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1996.

The Australian federal government overturned the law nine months later.