Thousands of patients could die as a result of Labour’s policy to downgrade accident and emergency departments, research shows today.

{mosimage}A study has found that the further patients travel in an ambulance to reach hospital the more likely they are to die.

Its authors say the findings show Government policy-making “may be driven by anecdote or supposition” rather than based on evidence of what is best for patients.

The policy of providing community-based services and downgrading A&E departments, which was outlined in a White Paper in January 2006, has provoked protests.

Many fear it will mean they have to travel further for emergency care and say it is simply a cost-cutting measure.

Yesterday, David Cameron said the policy would lead to the closure of 29 hospitals.

He said people could not understand why A&E departments were closing when admissions were up and promised to fight to save units.

Hundreds of dangerous prisoners could be freed from jail because of “disastrous” failings by the Government when it introduced a new prison sentence, a High Court judge said yesterday.

Jack Straw, the justice secretary, yesterday backed plans to help inner city black youths avoid the temptations of crime by providing them with successful black mentors, including army officers.