Chris Huhne

UK Citizens Must Have Equal Rights With Americans – Huhne

Nearly 90% of all US extradition requests have been granted by British courts since the Extradition Act came into force in 2004, far more than were granted in return, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The figures, revealed in a series of Parliamentary answers, show that:

· Since 2004, 89% of extradition requests from the US Department of Justice have been granted by British judges

· In the same period, 70% of British extradition requests have been granted by American judges

· Britain has extradited more than twice as many people to America than the US has to Britain in the last five years (56 and 26 respectively)

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

“These figures show that British people have far less chance of successfully fighting extradition than Americans, who are also protected by their written constitution.

“It is sad evidence of Tony Blair’s willingness to do the United States’ bidding that he was willing to offer less protection to his own country’s citizens.

“The United States should have to offer evidence to press for extradition, just as we do in the US. What sort of special relationship is it if British citizens have second-class status in securing a fair trial? British people must have equal rights.”