In his first interview since his acquittal at Newcastle Crown Court, Dr Moor said he would always act to relieve the suffering of terminally ill patients, even if that hastened their death.

Dr Moor was accused of the murder of 85-year-old terminally-ill cancer patient George Liddell by administering a lethal dose of the painkiller diamorphine.

However, while he admitted giving Mr Liddell a dose of diamorphine, Dr Moor said he only done so to relieve pain, not to kill him.

Dr David Moor: "I felt I was there on behalf of doctors and the public."

Dr Moor said he felt as though he was standing trial on behalf of the medical profession.

One doctor has written to him to say that his acquittal had made professional life easier for all medical practitioners.

He said he would go through the same ordeal again if necessary to fight for the right for doctors to give terminally-ill patients the treatment they think they need.

He said: "I felt as though I was there for the profession and I was there for the people in this country. I feel very strongly about that."

Great support

Dr David Moor reads letters of support

Dr Moor said he had received great support from the public prior to and during his trial, including hundreds of letters of support.

Dr Moor said standing in the dock awaiting the verdict was "interesting".

He said: "It was absolutely extraordinary standing there, but knowing that the public gallery behind me was filled with patients and supporters was extremely helpful, and when they all started clapping and cheering that was amazing."

It was a phone call of congratulations from the son-in-law of the man he was accused of killing that meant the most to him.

"He was a remarkable man, and for him to have the courage and enthusiasm to come over to Newcastle from Ireland to give evidence was one of the most moving points in my life."