MP speaks out over family's body plight

An MP raised concerns in the Commons yesterday that the two sisters of a woman who died after falling from a balcony in Singapore could not afford to repatriate her body.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Jul 2010, 11:33 BST

Updated 2nd Jul 2010, 11:33 BST

Tory Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) called for a debate on the aid and advice of British consulates to residents abroad in extreme circumstances.

Sarah Royle, 31, is believed to have suffered broken bones and a blood clot to the brain.

Doctors switched off her life support machine on Sunday after her sisters, Johanna, 35, and Premsa, 32, flew from Hebden Bridge to be at her bedside. Mr Whittaker said Ms Royle had fallen while watching the England match in the World Cup.

Mr Whittaker told MPs: "Sarah lost her parents at a very early age. Her two sisters, who are of limited means, are being asked to sign an indemnity against the cost of bringing the body home and paying the bills for the insurance because the insurance company believes that she may have been drinking at the time."