Action to protect cot death mothers

New proposals for more "sympathetic" investigations into cot deaths after several miscarriages of justice were unveiled today.

Doctors' governing bodies have drawn up recommendations to prevent mothers being wrongfully convicted of killing their babies.

Their report says investigators should keep "an open mind" and remember that most cot deaths are "natural tragedies".

Campaigners welcomed the move, saying it removes the presumption that because more than one child in a family has died in unexplained circumstances, it must be murder. The guidance followsthe wrongful convictions of Sally Clark and Angela Cannings of killing their children after paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow gave evidence, now discredited, that they were probably harming them.

The new recommendations from the Royal Colleges of Pathologists and Paediatricians include:

The proposals, which will be considered by the Home Office also call for an end to prosecution and defence employing rival medical experts. Professor James Underwood, president of the Royal College of Pathologists, said: "There should be the same degree of thoroughness of all investigations."