Liberal Democrats force emergency extradition debate

2.29.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Jul 2006

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP has succeeded in his bid to force a Commons debate on the extradition treaty between Britain and the US less than 48 hours before the "Nat West Three" are due to be extradited.

The Government will now have to send a minister to the Commons for a three hour debate after Prime Minister's Questions tomorrow.

The speaker's decision to grant the urgent adjournment debate is the first time one has been approved since the debate on Afghanistan in March 24th 2002.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

"It is vitally important that ministers come to the House to answer questions on this lop-sided treaty they have tried to brush under the carpet.

"One the eve of the Nat West three's extradition, it is only appropriate that this treaty is discussed fully in the House of Commons.

"This treaty was negotiated in secret and granted only cursory scrutiny in December 2003, where only the Liberal Democrats voted against the proposals.

"We must make up for the absence of scrutiny then with a full debate."