Alexine died after an accident on the A47 in Norfolk

Wellingborough's former Labour MP, Paul Stinchcombe, has campaigned for tougher laws since Alexine Melnik, 17, from Rushden, died in a crash last June.

The driver who hit the car she was in admitted careless driving, was fined �500 and given nine penalty points.

Tony Blair vowed to honour Labour's manifesto commitment - prompted by Mr Stinchcombe - to examine the issue.

Mr Blair said is was important the law in respect of death by dangerous driving was toughened.

He said it was the result of the campaign launched by Mr Stinchcombe that the Labour Party made its commitments before the election.

Driver fined �500

"We've got a consultation exercise which ended on 6 May. We're currently analysing the response received and we will publish our response shortly," he said.

Mr Stinchcombe was supporting Alexine's parents in pressing for a new law that could see careless driver offenders imprisoned for five years.

His Conservative successor, Peter Bone, also took up the issue.

Alexine died after an accident on the A47 in Norfolk on her way home from a pop concert in Great Yarmouth last June.

The driver, who admitted careless driving, was fined �500 and given nine points on his licence.

Her father, Peter Melnik, enlisted the support of Mr Stinchcombe, determined his daughter would not have died in vain.

He said the campaign for tougher penalties was not about retribution but about justice.