TNAG-0931-FCO40-1149-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 152

CONFIDENTIAL

that the decision of the Governor should be upheld, the man

on the spot being in the best position to consider all the

circumstances of a case. A reversal would only occur if a

(No such case is in miscarriage of justice appeared likely.

fact on record).

4. The present position in the British Virgin Islands is that three men are at present held on murder charges two have been committed for trial (probably in October) and the third is awaiting committal hearings. Any conviction for murder invokes

an automatic sentence of death.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

7 August 1980

CONFIDENTIAL

i