§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information embassy or consular officials in Portugal received from the Portuguese authorities about the timing and decision of the appeal by Mr. Michael Cook; and if he will make a statement on developments in the case since the Adjournment debate on 9 June.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhen asked by our embassy in Lisbon on 26 June 1992 the Portuguese supreme court confirmed that Mr. Michael Cook's appeal had been heard and turned down on 17 June 1992.
Since the Adjournment debate, consular officials have again visited Mr. Cook. They are also in touch with his Portuguese lawyer and with his brother in the United Kingdom about the implications of the appeal verdict.
§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official request to the Portuguese authorities that none of the physical evidence connected with the Michael Cook case be destroyed until possible further proceedings are completed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe understand that Mr. Cook may be appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. We have therefore instructed our embassy in Lisbon to ask the Portuguese authorities to ensure that all remaining evidence is retained.