2
A
Kevin Barlow's behalf which was unsuccessful.
similar plea has been agreed for Derrick Gregory
should the Penang Pardons Board not commute his
sentence. It would be difficult to justify doing
less on behalf of British Dependent Territory
Citizens (BDTCs) from Hong Kong. Press interest
could be considerable and public sensitivities
aroused should there appear to be any
discrimination.
The Penang Pardons Board may consider the pleas by
the Eight at their meeting on 8 June, when the
Gregory case will anyway be taken.
In case this
It
happens and the verdict goes against the Eight,
execution could follow shortly afterwards.
would therefore be helpful to have the Prime
Minister's contingency authority now to make a
final plea. I enclose a draft text and should be
grateful for your agreement to the wording.
If the Prime Minister agrees to the plea, we
propose to transmit the text to the High
Commission in Kuala Lumpur for use at the
appropriate moment. Should the Pardons Board
uphold the death sentence, this would enable the
High Commissioner to deliver the plea without
further urgent consultations, and in good time
before the date of the execution.