Lib Dem MP demands changes to the US-UK extradition treaty

9.40.00pm GMT Wed 22nd Feb 2006

Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman, today called on the British government to restore reciprocity to the US-UK extradition treaty after 3 former NatWest employees, including a Wiltshire resident of South Wraxall, lost their High Court appeal against their extradition to the United States to face charges in connection with the collapse of Enron.

He said: "The UK-US extradition treaty is inherently unbalanced, and to add insult to injury, although the treaty's provisions apply in UK courts, it has not even been ratified by the United States."

"UK citizens should have no less protection against extradition than citizens of America. The British government must take steps to restore reciprocity to these arrangements."