Labour had looked at having a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities as the basis ofa written constitution - the then Justice Secretary JackStraw believed a written statement of "common values" would help social cohesion.
Dr Meldrum was one of eight signatories to a letter sent to Justice Secretary JackStraw along with the heads of the Royal College of Surgeons, Royal College of Nursing, Medical Defence Union, Medical Protection Society, Royal College of GPs, Faculty of Public Health and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.