UK: "We’ll force MP vote on noose"

MPs could vote on whether to bring back the death penalty, it emerged yesterday.

Campaigners plan to use an online petition scheme launched by the Government to press their case.

They want capital punishment - banned in Britain in 1965 - to be restored for those who kill kids or police officers.

And any petition which receives more than 100,000 names must be considered for debate in Westminster.

The bid to bring back hanging is being spearheaded by Right-wing blogger Guido Fawkes and its supporters hope to launch it next week.

Fawkes wrote on his website: "Even if we don't win the vote on the floor of the House, we shall see which MPs put the welfare of child killers above the wider community. Let them be counted." MPs last night said they would welcome a debate on the controversial issue.

Tory MP Philip Davies said: "It's something where once again the public are a long way ahead of the politicians.

"I'd go further and restore it for all murderers."

His fellow Conservative MP Priti Patel, who also backs the death penalty, added: "It's about time the public had a greater say on the issues that we debate. I'm not surprised that this issue has been raised.

"We need strong deterrents to make people think twice about the crimes they commit." Labour introduced online petitions on the No10 website.

They were often used to embarrass the Government - with one petition calling for Gordon Brown to quit as PM receiving widespread support.

House of Commons leader George Young said the new e-petition system was "a step towards a more accessible and transparent" Parliament.

He said: "The public has many opportunities to make their voices heard. This system could give them a megaphone."

The last two executions in the UK were carried out at two different prisons at the same time on August 13, 1964.

Gwynne Owen Evans and Peter Allen were hanged at Liverpool's Walton jail and Strangeways in Manchester for the murder of Jack West.

Source: The Sun, July 29, 2011

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