A CONTROVERSIAL euthanasia campaigner dubbed Dr Death will hold suicide workshops at a hotel in Bournemouth next week.

Dr Philip Nitschke has defended plans for the sessions at Hamilton Hall in Boscombe, a venue used by gay naturists, claiming: “It is often people who have experienced social repression who can best understand and identify with our cause.”

The move has been condemned by Roman Catholic leaders in Bournemouth.

But Hamilton Hall boss John Bellamy pledged to go ahead with Dr Death’s lessons in euthanasia the public meetings and workshops on Tuesday and added: “Trouble is, we have had too many centuries of religious claptrap.”

Australian activist Dr Nitschke attempted to hold workshops in Bournemouth last year but was forced to abandon his plans after venues cancelled his bookings when they realised what the workshops were about. He gives advice on what he considers to be the best ways to commit suicide.

But this year Mr Bellamy has pledged to allow the meetings to continue, even if they are opposed by members of the public.

“There needs to be a reshaping of people’s education and beliefs around such a subject” he said. “It seems we demand humans to live with indignity, pain and anguish whereas we are kinder to our pets when their suffering becomes too much – it simply is not logical or mature.”

Speaking from Darwin, Australia, Dr Nitschke said: “It seems those opposing the right of elderly Britons to access end-of-life information went out of their way to close the meetings down in 2008.

“This time we have been very pleased to have the support of Mr Bellamy, who has made it clear they will not bow to pressure by those who want to censor the meetings.”

Father Anthony Pennicott, of the Sacred Heart Church in Richmond Hill, opposed the workshops and said: “From the Christian point of view we believe that human life is created by God and that an individual’s life therefore belongs to God.”

He voiced fears that vulnerable people could be at risk if euthanasia was legalised. “Allowing voluntary euthanasia is likely to place vulnerable people in danger of being manipulated and pressurised by people who think they know best or who have ulterior motives to end their life.”

Hamilton Hall, Carysfort Road, Boscombe, advertises itself as “a retreat for the 21st century, exclusively for gay and bisexual men” and a “clothing optional” venue.

The meetings and workshops are due to be held between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday. Similar events are also planned for venues in Brighton, Stroud and Glasgow.