UK business secretary imposes restrictions on export of execution drug

The United Kingdom is to place restrictions on the export of thiopental sodium, an anaesthetic used in death row executions in the United States, after the business secretary, Vince Cable, reconsidered his original refusal to add it to the list of restricted products.

Mr Cable made the U-turn during the hearing of a High Court challenge to his initial refusal after learning that the import of the drug into the US for medical purposes is illegal, officials said.

Lawyers for two men on death row in the US, where some states …