Dr John Ashton, the director of public health in Cumbria, also criticised the initiative.

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The MP handed a petition with 11, 000 signatures to Cumbria director of public health, Dr John Ashton.

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John Ashton, the world's first climate change diplomat - appointed by the UK - recently retired from his post.

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Professor John Ashton, co-editor, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health which published the research, told BBC News Online that nobody knew why female doctors were so apparently vulnerable.

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But professor John Ashton, north-east regional director of public health for the NHS, was sceptical as to whether there was any foundation for the claim of regional differences at all.

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England made three substitutions at half-time with Lee Camp replacing Carson in goal and Kieran Richardson and John Welsh coming on for Leighton Baines and Dean Ashton.

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He must also decide whether to retain all the coaches he inherited from his predecessor Brian Ashton - Mike Ford (defence), John Wells (forwards), Jon Callard (kicking) and Graham Rowntree (scrummaging).

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