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Final pleas for death row Briton | Final pleas for death row Briton |
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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. |