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Final pleas for death row Briton Final pleas for death row Briton
(10 minutes later)
Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis has said the scheduled execution in China of a Briton with mental health problems would be "entirely inappropriate".Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis has said the scheduled execution in China of a Briton with mental health problems would be "entirely inappropriate".
Mr Lewis was speaking after last-ditch talks with the Chinese ambassador in London, in which the UK government urged clemency for the British man.Mr Lewis was speaking after last-ditch talks with the Chinese ambassador in London, in which the UK government urged clemency for the British man.
Akmal Shaikh, of London, has reportedly been told by his family that he faces death at 1030 (0230 GMT) on Tuesday.Akmal Shaikh, of London, has reportedly been told by his family that he faces death at 1030 (0230 GMT) on Tuesday.
He denied the charges that led to him being found guilty of drug smuggling.He denied the charges that led to him being found guilty of drug smuggling.
The minister said: "The clock is ticking and a man's life is at stake as we speak."The minister said: "The clock is ticking and a man's life is at stake as we speak."
Last chance
"It's entirely inappropriate that he be put to death, we've made 27 representations over the last two yearsÂ… and even at this late stage I hope they will see that in a modern world it is not appropriate to put a man with mental illness to death.
"It cannot be right that there has not been any medical assessment done of Mr Shaikh's mental condition. In any judicial system that simply cannot be acceptable.
"I believe this meeting tonight was the final opportunity for us to make our the strength of out feeling known to the Chinese. I believe we have done everything we possibly can."
Mr Shaikh, 53, denied all knowledge of 4kg of heroin found on him in the north-western city of Urumqi in 2007.Mr Shaikh, 53, denied all knowledge of 4kg of heroin found on him in the north-western city of Urumqi in 2007.
I'd like to be hopeful, but time just seems to be running out Leilla HornsellDaughter Executions shrouded in secrecy
His family say he is mentally ill. His daughter Leilla Hornsell told the BBC: "I don't think he will be able to really understand what's happening."His family say he is mentally ill. His daughter Leilla Hornsell told the BBC: "I don't think he will be able to really understand what's happening."
Ms Horsnell has said her father was approached by drug smugglers in Poland who convinced him they would make him a pop star in China.
She has spoken out about his mental health problems and his "erratic and extreme" behaviour.
"I'd like to be hopeful, but time just seems to be running out," she said.
"It's better for him to be in his own world rather than be faced with the reality of the situation."
Mr Shaikh's cousins, Soohail and Nasir Shaikh, informed him of his fate as they spent an hour and a half with him on Monday at the secure hospital in Urumqi where he is being held.