§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to(a) the United States Federal Authorities, (b) the Texas State Authorities and (c) the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to plead for clemency for John 'Jackie' Elliot. [92313]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienRepresentations were made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the Governor of Texas, the hon. Rick Perry, and to the Chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Gerald Garret; my noble Friend Baroness Amos also wrote to Gerald Garret; and to other Texas State officials who had a role in the decision making process of the Paroles and Pardons Board in this case. The US Federal Authorities have no direct role in the Texas parole and pardons process.
These representations made clear HMG's opposition to the death penalty and urged that Mr. Elliott's sentence of death be commuted to a term of imprisonment. In making our representations, we sought information from key officials in Texas to ensure that we were doing all that we could to prevent the execution from taking place. We were in regular and close contact with Mr. Elliott's lawyers and were ready to make further representations as appropriate. Mr. Elliott was executed on 4 February.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Texan authorities regarding the pending execution of Mr. John 'Jackie' Elliott; and if he will make a statement. [92788]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (John Robertson) today, UIN 92313.