Prisoner may be allowed to die

Kenneth Clarke, the Home Secretary, is seeking a High Court ruling that prison authorities and medical staff can lawfully comply with the death wish of a convicted drug smuggler on hunger strike. Jesus Neira, 37, a Colombian, has refused food since mid-May and stated that he would prefer to die rather than serve his 11-year prison sentence for smuggling pounds 250,000 worth of cocaine into Britain. Mr Clarke also seeks permission not to provide Neira with medical treatment to prolong life.