The government's latest attempt to reform mental health laws and allow the detention of potentially dangerous people has run into fresh objections from psychiatrists.

Health minister Rosie Winterton said the new bill would protect the public, ensure proper treatment for ill people and leave the decision on whether to order compulsory treatment to clinicians.

But mental health groups fear psychiatrists would be under pressure to order the compulsory treatment of people who might pose a risk in case they were held to account later for failing to do so.

Chairman of the Mental Health Alliance Paul Farmer said he was "deeply disappointed".