Commenting ahead of the House of Lords vote on whether to include deaths in custody as part of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill, Liberal Democrat Trade and Industry Spokesperson, Lord (John) Lee said:

"The Government are heading for a defeat on this key issue. We know many Labour Peers are backing us.

"It would be scandalous to exclude deaths in custody from this important piece of legislation.

"Without this amendment the Bill would clearly not be fit for purpose, and the relationship between the public and the police would be further damaged at what is an unquestionably sensitive time."