Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Egypt about the death sentence imposed on former President Mohammed Morsi; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) raised our concerns over the sentencing to death of former President Morsi with the Egyptian Ambassador in London on 17 May.

Mr Ellwood also issued a statement on 17 May, setting out the Government's deep concern at the sentencing to death of former President Morsi and over 100 others.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have also discussed this case with representatives of the Egyptian government.

We have been clear that the Egyptian authorities must apply the rule of law consistently in line with international standards, and protect the political and legal rights of all Egyptians as the basis for the country’s future stability. It is the long-standing policy of the Government to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We note that there are further stages in the legal process, and will continue to follow this case closely.