Teather Fights For Justice For Amani

6.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Aug 2008

Local MP Sarah is fighting for justice for her constituent

Sarah Teather, local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, has met with the Sudanese Ambassador to the UK on behalf of her constituent Amani Hamadalla.

Amani's father, Major Hamadalla, was kidnapped from a British civilian aircraft brought down by Colonel Gaddafi in Libya in July 1971. Major Hamadalla was then handed over to the Sudanese authorities, and executed.

Sarah and Amani first appealed to the British Government almost four and a half years ago, asking them to apply diplomatic pressure to the Libyan authorities to secure an apology for her father's kidnapping and execution, and to ask Sudan for information on her father's burial site.

Sarah believes the government should be stepping up their efforts for Amani. However, while the Foreign Office continues to refuse further assistance, Sarah has pledged to help Amani find the information she needs.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, said:

"This case has overshadowed the whole of Amani's life. Amani wants answers about her father's death so that she can move on. It is surely right that Amani should have information on her father's final resting place.

"The Government have been so slow to act on behalf of my constituent that I decided to approach both the Sudanese and Libyan Ambassadors myself. I was pleased that the Sudanese Ambassador has accepted Amani's legitimate right to know where her father is buried.

"Major Hamadalla's kidnap and abduction caused an international scandal in the 1970s. Thirty five years later the case remains just as shocking, and sweeping it under the carpet is unacceptable. I will continue to stand by my constituent until justice has been done."