PLANS to clarify the law on assisted suicide have been criticised by Bournemouth West MP Sir John Butterfill.

He fears any changes to current legislation could leave vulnerable people at risk.

A landmark ruling from the House of Lords earlier this week means new guidelines will be drawn up to make it clear under what circumstances a person would be prosecuted for assisting another to take their own life.

But the ruling has been seen by many as a way of telling people how to avoid prosecution and there are fears it could eventually lead to the legalisation of assisted suicide.

“Frankly I am very worried about this whole area” Sir John told the Daily Echo. “People could be put under pressure and made to feel as if they are a burden to their family.

“People may be encouraged to end their lives because of an inheritance. There is a principle here and I believe the law should remain as it is.”

Earlier this year Bournemouth found itself at the centre of the euthanasia debate when controversial Australian, Dr Philip Nitschke, held a “suicide workshop” in the town.

Around 40 people turned up to hear him speak at Hamilton Hall in Boscombe despite calls for the meeting to be banned.

Prosecutors are now working on a policy statement after right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy took her case to the House of Lords.

Ms Purdy, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, said she wants to know what will happen to her husband, Omar Puente, if he helps her to travel abroad to end her life.

Following the ruling, she played down fears that people could be pressurised into ending their own lives.