Letter to the Head of the Parliamentary
Relations and Devolution Team, Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
from the Clerk of the Committee
Mike Gapes has asked me to write to you, requesting
a detailed note on the FCO's handling of the case of Mr Craig
Alden, a British care worker who is imprisoned in Brazil.
Mr Gapes understands that some two years after
Mr Alden's conviction, the FCO appointed a QC to give an opinion
on this case; that the QC found that Mr Alden had been denied
a fair trial and that his conviction was unlawful; but that subsequent
correspondence between the Secretary of State and his Brazilian
opposite number has been unproductive.
As you know, the Committee has taken an interest
in the provision of consular services to British citizens overseas.
I would therefore be grateful to receive a note setting out in
detail how Mr Alden's case has been handled by the FCO, including
the dates of each development in the case and of each action taken,
and an indication of what further steps are envisaged. I would
hope to receive this note not later than 10 January
Steve Priestley
Clerk of the Committee
12 December 2006
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