Tonge: "Release Mothers Now"

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Jan 2004

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond and Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Children, will today seek to ask the Secretary of State for Health Dr John Reid two urgent questions on the subject of cot death: This follows Monday's announcement that criminal cases involving possible cot death will be reviewed.

The MP will make the following points: "However eminent a medical professional may be, his opinion on the subject of cot death should not be taken as evidence in a court of law."

"The affected women should be freed on bail whilst the enquiry is proceeding. They should be with their families, not in prison."