Death penalty grandmother funding appeal lost, as Cheltenham MP calls for government to consider stepping in
LEGAL costs for helping drug smuggling grandmother Lindsay Sandiford should be covered by the Foreign Office, according to Cheltenham's MP.
Sandiford, who lived for a time in Warden Hill and Hester's Way, was condemned to death by firing squad for drug smuggling.
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Help call: Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood the Foreign Office should consider paying Lindsay Sandiford's legal expenses
She lost a High Court appeal for the Government to step in and pay yesterday. But Martin Horwood has criticised the government for not paying for her legal representation as she fights for her life.
A legal challenge was brought to London's High Court with judges being asked to rule the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's failure to arrange an adequate lawyer to represent 56-year-old Sandiford was unlawful.
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Speaking before the decision was made, Liberal Democrat Mr Horwood called for more action to be taken.
He said: "Obviously the Foreign Office cannot agree to write a blank cheque for people in custody all over the world.
"But this is a particularly extreme case where somebody's life is at risk, so they should look at this very carefully.
"Indonesia does pay the legal costs for its own immigrant workers who are facing the death penalty in countries like China and Saudi Arabia.
"I think that what we would all hope is that the British Embassy will do the same amount as Indonesia does for its own citizens. I think if there is no other option, and if she wouldn't have a lawyer otherwise, I think they should consider paying it, as Indonesia does for its own citizens in similar circumstances."
Sandiford was given the death penalty by a court in Bali last week for taking 10.6lb of cocaine on to the island last year.
The High Court was told that a notice of appeal was filed with Indonesian officials earlier this week and she was given a 14-day deadline to file grounds of appeal.
Aidan O'Neill QC said Sandiford was urgently in need of the money because she is currently without legal assistance and her family have exhausted all of their available resources.
Law firm Leigh Day, which is working with charity Reprieve, said it would have cost around £2,500 to pay for an adequate lawyer to take on her case.
29 Comments
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by Bonkim2003
Monday, February 04 2013, 10:51PM
“Spud0 - you have missed the point - UK lawyers are not competent to practice in Indonesia - the legal systems are quite different and the government there offers legal representation, and protection in accordance with their system which may differ from ours including mandatory death sentences for certain types of crimes.
I don't believe she did not get the necessary legal representation as the government there would take care that their procedures comply with their laws. Whether that is in agreement with UK thinking or that some consider UK legal provisions better or worse is of no consequence. Every country has its sovereign right to conduct procedures in their own way - note the British High Court's view on this - also the British Embassy there would have kept a watch on the situation and advised this lady accordingly. I don't believe a high cost lawyer will make any difference and any active involvement from the British authorities would be taken as foreign interference and made the situation worse. Martin Horwood has to make a stand as capital punishment may be against his beliefs and as this lady has Cheltenham connections.
If the Foreign office got involved in every criminal case involving U.K citizens or fund their defence - not sure if British taxpayers would support that. Regards capital punishment - there are many here that think it was a mistake to abolish that for serious crimes.”
by Spud0
Monday, February 04 2013, 9:27PM
“@Bonkim "what makes you think she has not got a fair trial in Indonesia? Or is it your prejudice that fair trial exists only in Britain?"
The whole point of the £2,500 is so she can get competent legal representation, she won't get a fair trial without it.
If she was in the UK, (or Europe or USA) facing such serious charges she would get that legal assistance provided and paid for by the government if required, but not in Indonesia.
Kenneth Clarke when he was Justice Minister last year was selling UK legal services overseas as it is much respected in the world and yes it's much better that that in Indonesia and many other parts of the world.That's not prejudice, it's fact.”
by Bonkim2003
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:03PM
“Spud0 - what makes you think she has not got a fair trial in Indonesia? Or is it your prejudice that fair trial exists only in Britain?
All countries have their legal systems - may be at variance with our own but then travellers take that risk when they venture abroad - and ignorance of law is not an excuse even in Britain.
If this was a Panamian drug carrier caught in Britain for drug running - will you have the same sympathy?
Millions of Brits visit the far-East without falling foul of the law - this one is a bad apple bringing disrepute to the U.K and no sympathy whatsoever.”
by Spud0
Monday, February 04 2013, 12:15PM
“@Bonkin2003 - If you think being executed without a fair trial and proper legal representation is OK then I find you and your sort more frightening than the drug dealers.”
by Bonkim2003
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:33AM
“Get Real Spud0 - You obey the law of the land - and if you think you can do as you wish in foreign lands - just don't go. Stay at home - this lady has been over-protected by U.K law - she does not deserve any sympathy.”
by Bonkim2003
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:30AM
“This woman has patently broken the law - and she should have known that - travelling to Bali - a tourist haunt where she thought the trade will be lucrative.
Just desserts. Travellers Beware - the law may not be as accommodating as it is in the U.K, and forget Legal Aid.”
by Spud0
Sunday, February 03 2013, 11:27AM
“@IsItJimKerr "just because I have chosen to oppose your remarks, please don't feel the need to single me out for your liberal remarks"
IsitJimKerr you directed your comments at me first, quote "Spud0........................someone there talking out of their a**e" end quote, so get your facts correct and now you think I'm targetting you when I reply. Do you know the meaning of hypocrite?
I'd ignore your childish comments but warped thinking always needs to be challenged.
If it was some member your family in court where they were facing the death penalty you would expect to have fair and competent legal representation, event the Nazi's were allowed lawyers after WW2, so lets have less of the raving, ranting and abuse and more thinking please.
And well done Mr Martim Horwood MP for sticking up for this decent principle in the face of the enivitable hostile and nasty opposition you would face, I much respect that.”
by IsitJimKerr
Sunday, February 03 2013, 10:47AM
“Spud0....just because I have chosen to oppose your remarks, please don't feel the need to single me out for your liberal remarks.
The vast majority on this page agree with my views.
I agree that drug control hasn't worked.
So what do you advocate, the legalisation of ALL drugs?
Just because we are failing, doesn't mean we give up.
We constantly have to re-inforce rules like speeding, shoplifting etc.
Just because it happens, doesn't mean we give up.
Governments of countries that grow drugs have to be held to account. They are all corrupt and in the back pockets of the drugs barons.
Drugs ruin lives, end of.”
by Spud0
Saturday, February 02 2013, 7:16PM
“@IsItJimKErr - Chill out and think, your abusive response is yet more proof of the flawed emotive thinking that has led to failed drugs policies across the world. You don't own this debate by the way.The horrors you highlighted here and many others around teh world that go unreported are the result of the current failed drugs policies and new thinking is needed to tackle the drugs problem and the likes of you are standing in the way. This is not a left wing or right wing issue but about changing drugs policies from the politcally controlled agenda we have now to one based on evidence.
The death penalty for smuggling 10Kg of coccaine is disproportionate and executing small time drug smugglers won't ever stop the drugs trade which currently booming.
I don't think any main stream political party in the UK support the death penalty for smuggling 10kg of coccaine or other criames so you want to think about how extreme your own views are IsItJimKerr.”
by IsitJimKerr
Saturday, February 02 2013, 10:56AM
“Spud0........................someone there talking out of their a**e.
Whenever we have the drugs debate, it ALWAYS gets compared to alcohol.
Get it through your thick head, this is a DIFFERENT debate.
All the liberal lefties that want cannabis legalised have absolutely no idea about the harms it can do.
It IS a gateway drug, and even if you thought it wasn't, dealers want you to try hard drugs, as it can't be grown in your loft!!!
Look at the two smack heads who, firstly agreed to be hitmen, then were so off their faces, they murdered the wrong bloke.
Apparently, with their blood money, they bought a £700 computer, then immediately sold it for £200. A sequence of brilliant decisions that have reinforced me and my family to never touch drugs, EVER!
Totally ruining the lives of a family in Cardiff.
Give me ONE good reason why drugs are good!!!!”