§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) discussions concerning and (b) involvement in the further inquiries that are to take place into the Julie Ward murder in Kenya his Department plans; with whom discussions are to take place; and if he will make a statement. [173292]
§ Mr. MullinI discussed the Julie Ward murder case with the Kenyan Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kiraitu Murungi, during his visit to London on 29 April. Mr. Murungi assured me that the Kenyan Government would take all necessary steps to ensure that justice is done if new evidence relating to the murder came to light. During a meeting with our Acting High Commissioner in Nairobi on 7 May, Mr. Murungi further confirmed that any new information relating to the case should be passed to the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is ready to offer assistance, if requested, but has not been asked by Julie Ward's family to take action relating to any further inquiry.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether(a) he and (b) other Ministers from his Department (i) have met and (ii) intend to meet Mr. John Ward to discuss the murder of his daughter, Julie Ward, in Kenya; and if he will make a statement. [173293]
§ Mr. MullinMr. Ward met my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) (Mr. Hain) in 2000. FCO Ministers would be happy to meet Mr. Ward again, should he request a meeting.