CONFIDENTIAL
One that it: 14KG 388/.. The Copy for: 14 KK 388/4
Infortret un only / Action on Para(s)
PS/FUS
Mr Freeland
RECE
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HKG 380/1
1 1 NOV 1977
DESK U.
INDEX
Yes
1.51
MISTRY
Crion Takı
KK &
Secytary of State
Cc:
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Duff
Mr Stratton Mr Rushford
Mr Stephen
The
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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN BERMUDA
167) A
1.
•
B, C, D 163-5)
157) E
The Private Secretary's minute of 28 October recorded
the Secretary of State's acceptance of the position outlined in
Hamilton telegrams numbers 32, 33 and 34: i.e. that the law
must take its course in the matter of the two condemned murderers
in Bermuda. (The Governor's telegrams replied to the Secretary
of State's personal telegram No 33 asking for a final review of
the case in the light of the local petition from Bermuda).
This means that the Secretary of State will need to advise The
Queen that the petition should be rejected; following which
Sir Peter Ramsbotham will have to be told that the executions
can be carried out.
2. The Secretary of State has said that he does not wish to
provoke a major row in the House of Commons on capital punishment,
but there is clearly going to be a reaction whatever happers in
thi? case. when the executiors go ahead, the abolitionist
lobby. will presumably attack the Government forcefully and
emotionally for allowing executions to be carried out in a
British territory. On the ct hand if there had been grounds
for advising The Queen that the law should not cake its course
there would have been voluble protests in Bermuda, though ones
egain a minority will protest when the executions are carried
However as the Governor points out in paragraph 3 of
out..
CONFIDETZAL
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