Government condemns Chinese execution of Brit

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have this morning unequivocally condemned the Chinese execution of Londoner Akmal Shaik for smuggling heroin into the country. The PM released a statement which said he is “appalled” and “disappointed” by the decision to go ahead with the execution – and offered condolences to Mr Shaik’s family.

The PM said:

“I condemn the execution of Akmal Shaikh in the strongest terms, and am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted. I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken. At this time our thoughts are with Mr Shaikh’s family and friends and I send them our sincere condolences.”

David Miliband said:

“The UK is completely opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. However, I also deeply regret the fact that our specific concerns about the individual in this case were not taken into consideration despite repeated calls by the Prime Minister, ministerial colleagues and me. These included mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation during the trial.“

Andy Burnham said the execution was “abhorrent”. Speaking to GMTV this morning, the Health Secretary said:

“When I woke up this morning and heard that it had happened I felt desperately sorry and deeply saddened for friends and family…I think we need to condemn it in the strongest possible terms. For an individual with mental health problems to be executed in this way is really quite abhorrent. The Prime Minister has made his views explicitly clear about what has happened and those will be communicated to the Chinese authorities.”

Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis had asked the Chinese ambassador recently for clemecy for Mr Shaik in a “full and frank exchange of views“. Mr Lewis this morning told the Today programme:

“It’s a deeply depressing day for anyone with a modicum of compassion or commitment to justice in Britain and throughout the world.”

China continues to deny that Mr Shaik had any history of mental health illness – and was defiant in the face of British criticism at the execution.

China carries out an average of over 1,700 known executions a year. Some of these are by firing squad in front of crowds of witnesses, although that practice is increasingly rejected in favour of lethal injection.