DEREK BENTLEY

Early day motion 1635, tabled 30 July 1998 by Malcolm Savidge (Labour). Signed by 116 members.

That this House welcomes the quashing of the murder conviction of Derek Bentley; applauds the courage, determination and self-sacrifice of his family in fighting for justice; deplores the conduct of the late Lord Chief Justice Goddard criticised by the Court of Appeal and of all others who were guilty of perpetrating this terrible miscarriage of justice; regrets the delay in admitting this injustice; expresses grief that the tragic and appalling wrong committed against Derek Bentley can never be remedied; and believes that his best memorial will be in the total removal of the death penalty from the statute book.

Signatures by party: Labour 98, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2, Unknown 1.