Foreign and Security Policy Group

British Embassy
3100 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk
Elizabeth L Dibble
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Department of State

Dear Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

DEATH PENALTY – IMPORT OF SODIUM THIOPENTAL FROM THE UK

As you know, the UK firmly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a
matter of principle. I am aware that the UK and US governments do not see eye to
eye on this. It is nonetheless deeply concerning to hear reports that US States may
be importing Sodium Thiopental (a drug which has legitimate therapeutic uses but
can also be used in executions) from the UK in order to put convicted persons to
death. This follows problems in obtaining this substance from the sole
US manufacturer, Hospira, a company which has in the past made clear that it does
not support the use of any of its products in capital punishment procedures.

We were especially dismayed to hear about the execution of Jeffrey Landrigan in

Arizona on 26 October, given reports that he suffered from severe mental health
problems; the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals had previously stayed his execution
because of the lack of clarity about the provenance of the Sodium Thiopental to be
used.

We are also very concerned about the possibility of UK drugs being used in future
executions in the US, such as the case of Edmund Zagorski in Tennessee. Our
understanding is that Sodium Thiopental sourced from the UK is not FDA-approved
for use in the US. We would therefore be grateful for any steps the Federal
Government can take to prevent it being used here, especially in order to harm
rather than heal.

Yours sincerely

Ian Bond

Ian Bond
Political Counsellor