A BILL to outlaw stalking put forward by local MP Janet Anderson was expected to be blocked by the Government in the Commons today.

Ministers plan to bring in their own legislation in the near future after saying that the Rossendale and Darwen MP's proposals were too far ranging.

But Mrs Anderson and 15 other Labour MPs were keeping up pressure on the Government.

They have put down a Commons motion urging Home Secretary Michael Howard to allow her Bill an unopposed second reading today.

The motion notes that thousands of lives are blighted each year by stalking.

It says there is no effective method for the police or victim to combat this social menace.

The motion recognises massive public support for the introduction of a criminal offence of stalking and says such an important issue of public safety should be above party politics.

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