Prime Ministers Questions, Wednesday 19th November 2008
Q3. [236809] Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): The US President-elect wants change. Will the Prime Minister ensure that extradition arrangements are changed so that UK citizens such as my constituent, Gary McKinnon, are not routinely extradited, despite having Asperger's syndrome? Will the Prime Minister listen to cross-party calls for an assurance that Gary McKinnon will be repatriated following a conviction in the US?
19 Nov 2008 : Column 231
The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman refers to the case of his constituent, which he has taken up with Lord West. The UK has important obligations in that area, and we take those obligations seriously. I am sure that he will be aware that the case is before the courts again on 5 December, and I cannot comment on any specifics. As I understand it, however, the UK and the US are signatories to the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, which enables a person found guilty in the United States of America to serve their sentence in the UK.
Video clip of Prime Minister's Questions - the David Burrowes segment starts at around 20 minutes into the 30 minute clip:
Note how Home Secretary Jacqui Smith Harriet Harman, the Minister of State Government Equalities Office and Leader of the House of Commons, and Education Minister Ed Balls nodded their heads in agreement, sitting on either side of Gordon Brown.
Teresa
fg - that's Harriet Harman, deputy PM next to G.B. Jaqui Smith was no doubt kept out of the spotlight as her stance on the extradition issue is crucial. What to make of this? Harman and Balls nodding, G.B. fairly conciliatory if that is the right word. Can a shift in the government's line be deduced, that would be nice - but it still doesn't address the core issue of the unjust extradition agreement. This could see Gary and other Britons sent to the US, when not charged with any offence here.
Isn't it totally outrageous that they should be under bail conditions, and living a half-life of constant apprehension, when American citizens cannot be ordered over here without actual proof of wrongdoing. Say for instance, that American internet scammers had fleeced thousands here - would they be extradited, and do we currently detain any that have?
It seems that the government are going to brush Blair's heinous capitulation of an agreement under the carpet, when it needs exposing for the sellout it is.
If we accept the current arrangement, we are accepting Tony Blair's assessment of us - that we are a shady bunch, capable of any wickedness unless securely kept under identity card surveillance. Whereas US citizens, of course are entitled to the full protection of their administration.
This speaks volumes about why Blair dragged us to war in the US's wake, he preferred to see himself at the heart of their policy making than to look after our interests.He's gone, but his shameful legacy lives on in the current bunch of dead-beats.
(nb -Does anybody think a newspaper advertisement would help publicise this case and maybe prod the rest of MPs to sign the EDM?)
david griffin
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I just made a comment on the PMs question time post. Think it may have gone to wrong article though or got lost in transit!
It wasn't that important. It just struck me looking at the two senior MPs either side of Gordon - that they, and most MPs when in the H-of-C, look *just* like those nodding dogs people used to have in cars in the 1970s.
Don't really see them any more. No room I suppose now it's mandatory to have a Sony Playstation fitted in the back instead for your darling kids ;)
Anyway - at least the issue is still being raised at upper levels. We push on. Sign the petition everyone - although I count that as the 3rd one in the last year - never know if it's best to get new ones going that deal with up to date situations or one huge f*ck off petition with loads of signatories?
davID, Exo UK
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Olive
It seems that Obama is widely expected to name current Defense Secretary Robert Gates as his Pentagon chief.
No Change There Then! Maybe nothing's going to change for all of the decent Americans that votet for a change for the better.
Looks as though they aren't going to get it but are going to be stuck with the same old people that Bush had.
Who really runs their country I wonder.