Uthayakumar fails in bid to subpoena ex-British PM Brown

October 12, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Lawyer P. Uthayakumar’s application to subpoena former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to be interviewed in his sedition trial was today dismissed by the High Court here.

High Court judge Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah ruled that Uthayakumar (picture) had failed to show the relevancy of Brown for his trial.

“The court is unable to see why this court has to issue a subpoena for the applicant to interview and take instructions for his defence. The paramount reason is the court is unable to see the relevancy,” Tee said according to a report in The Star Online.

In his application to subpoena Brown, Uthayakumar asked for an appropriate order by the court.

According to The Star, Uthayakumar said he wanted to interview, take instructions and call Brown as a witness in his sedition trial as part of his defence.

Uthayakumar had claimed trial in a Sessions Court here to writing a letter addressed to Brown, which allegedly has tendency to be seditious.

He is alleged have committed the offence at Kemayan Square in Seremban on November 15, 2007.

DPP Noorin Badaruddin said today the prosecution had called three witnesses in the sedition trial and that it would be closing its case on October 23 when the parties were due to submit at the close of the prosecution case on the same day.

According to The Star, Noorin said the Public Prosecutor, named as the respondent in the application, objected to the application as it was too premature and an abuse of the court process as Brown was not a material witness nor was his evidence relevant to the sedition charge.

She submitted that the application was without basis as the sedition trial was still ongoing before the Sessions Court.

Lawyer M. Manoharan, who acted for Uthayakumar, told reporters later that he would appeal against the court ruling.