CONFIDENTIAL ANNEX
W33
DSR TIC
W
The only instance where the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has advised Her Majesty
to exercise Her residual Prerogative of Mercy where the
Governor has chosen not to do so is that of Tsoi Kok-Cheong
(Hong Kong 1973). The case was being considered against
the background of a debate in the House of Commons on the
abolition of capital punishment in Northern Ireland.
The Secretary of State judged severe damage would result
to the Government of the day if an execution took place
in Hong Kong, which had no elected legislature and where HMG
would seem to be in a position to sway the final decision.
MA 427265 250M 5/77 905275
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.