Mr Kenny Richey

HL Deb 05 July 2004 vol 663 cc60-1WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will submit an amicus curiae brief to the United States Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the application by Mr Kenny Richey, a British Citizen, on the lawfulness of his conviction and sentence for aggravated felony murder in 1987; and what other measures they will take to prevent Mr Richey being executed. [HL3338]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

We are following developments in Mr Richey's case closely and shall do all we properly can to try to prevent his execution. The Consul General in Chicago recently raised our interest in and concern about Mr Richey's case with the Governor of Ohio, Bob Taft. We shall continue to lobby the relevant US authorities, as and when appropriate.

Any request to submit an amicus brief in a particular case is very carefully considered. We are urgently exploring the most appropriate way to register HMG's concern about Mr Richey's case with the US authorities, and the possibility of filing an amicus curiae brief is being examined in this context.