Police have warned that a euthanasia doctor could be acting illegally by advising people on ending their lives. Dr Philip Nitschke was detained by airport officials as he travelled to Britain yesterday, ahead of a workshop in Sussex aimed at showing elderly and ill people how to kill themselves.

Dr Nitschke, who is also known buy the nickname Doctor Death, was detained at Heathrow airport when he arrived in Britain ahead of the talk in Eastbourne carrying his “deliverance machine” – a laptop computer used to administer a lethal dose of drugs or gases.

The planned workshop in Eastbourne has been cancelled twice in the past few days after venues backed out.

After his release yesterday Dr Nitschke said he still intended to bring the euthanasia machine into Eastbourne.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “In relation to the legality of holding a meeting to discuss euthanasia, it is difficult to comment as we cannot be certain in advance what will be discussed on the day. However the Suicide Act 1961 states that a person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be liable to prosecution.”