A PENSIONER who allegedly fatally stabbed an intruder at his home should not have been arrested, Christchurch's MP has said.

Sir Christopher Chope said it was "completely unwarranted" to arrest people in circumstances such as those faced by Richard Osborn-Brooks.

The 78-year-old retiree's detention on suspicion of murdering intruder Henry Vincent, 37, drew widespread condemnation from members of the public.

Nearly 20,000 people signed a petition calling for the probe to be shelved, while more than £7,000 was raised to pay for his legal costs.

On Friday the Metropolitan Police said he would face no further action over Vincent's death on Tuesday.

Sir Christopher, who sits on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said that arresting the pensioner was a step too far.

"It is one thing to question people but to ... arrest people in these circumstances is completely unwarranted," the Tory backbencher has now told a national newspaper.

"It is a sad reflection on the criminal justice system that it has required the force of the press and public opinion to reach this decision."

Scotland Yard said on Friday that its decision to drop the investigation followed a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding stressed there had been a "thorough investigation" into the circumstances of Vincent's death.

He said: "While there might be various forms of debate about which processes should be used in cases such as this, it was important that the resident was interviewed by officers under the appropriate legislation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act; not only for the integrity of our investigation but also so that his personal and legal rights were protected."

An inquest will "further review the circumstances into Mr Vincent's death in a public forum", the detective said.

Vincent's family have been informed of the development.

In January, Vincent was named and pictured by Kent Police investigating a distraction burglary when jewellery and valuables were stolen from a man in his 70s.

Officers were then called to reports of a burglary in progress at 12.45am on Tuesday, after two men entered the house on South Park Crescent in Hither Green, south-east London.

One suspect, armed with a screwdriver, forced the homeowner into his kitchen when he discovered them, while his accomplice went upstairs, the force said.

Detectives believe a struggle ensued between "one of the males and the homeowner" and the intruder was stabbed in the upper body. It is unclear what implement was used to deliver the fatal blow.

Both men then apparently attempted a getaway, but Vincent collapsed nearby on Further Green Road.

An accomplice attempted to drag him towards a van but eventually left, according to a witness.

Paramedics from London Ambulance Service took him to a central London hospital where he died at 3.37am.

The second man has not been found and remains wanted by police.