Agent severs link with freed Briton

Afirm of management agents acting for Karyn Smith, 21, one of two Britons pardoned by the King of Thailand after serving three years for drug smuggling, has severed its links with her in the wake of official warnings over payment for her story.

The International Management Group, which represents sports stars and celebrities, had been handling a book publishing deal for Smith, of Solihull, West Midlands, who was jailed for 25 years in 1990. Patricia Cahill, 20, of Birmingham, was sentenced to 18 years.

But in a statement last night it said: 'IMG do not consider that in the present circumstances it is appropriate to continue with the sale of these story rights and has therefore, by mutual consent, withdrawn from its representation of Karyn Smith.'