A West Sussex MP has tabled a Bill to stop parents who kill their children getting away with murder.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has drafted legislation to punish parents or carers who blame each other for a child's death.

The Bill would mean them facing penalties as stiff as those for murder rather than a cruelty charge. It is unlikely to become law but increases the pressure on ministers to close the legal loophole.

The Argus demanded action three years ago following the death of John Smith, four, from Southwick. He died from brain injuries after a catalogue of abuse by his foster parents, Simon and Michelle McWilliam, who received a maximum eight-year sentence for cruelty not murder as each blamed the other.

Mr Loughton said: "I am aware the Government and Law Commission are sympathetic to changes in the law, although attempts to amend the Criminal Justice Bill in committee were not taken up.

"My Bill would establish a charge of joint enterprise on parents equally if, when charged with the death of a child, they gave similar accounts of events leading up to its death which later turned out to be false."

Home Office minister Hilary Benn said: "We are considering a number of possibilities with a view to legislation at the earliest possible date."