WORCESTERSHIRE MP Richard Taylor has told the House of Commons there are rare occasions when withdrawing food from seriously ill patients is justified.

Dr Taylor, MP for Wyre Forest, was speaking in a debate about the introduction of "living wills" which would allow people to set out in advance their wish to refuse medical treatment if they were to become mentally incapacitated.

But there are concerns among MPs that the Mental Capacity Bill, which introduces the concept, will open a backdoor to euthanasia.

Despite agreeing with the idea that people should be able to make their intentions known in advance of losing their mental faculties, Dr Taylor abstained from the vote over the concerns.

"I have changed my mind. I was going to vote in favour of the Bill because the idea behind it is absolutely right," he said. "It is the detail that is not."

"Of course, it is not justified in the case of someone who has a stroke, from which we have seen the most miraculous recoveries."