Letter: Arrest warrant bid in House a low blow
The parliamentary debacle where the Chief Whip, the Home Secretary and the Justice Minister attempted to sneak the European Arrest Warrant through Parliament without a vote, while at the same time trying to pretend that a vote on it would take place, shows just how low the Coalition has sunk and the depths of their contempt for the electorate.
British citizens have had the protection of habeas corpus for centuries. Now that the Prime Minister has decided to opt in to the EAW, that has been lost. Provided that the paperwork has been correctly completed, there is nothing to stop a British citizen being deported to a foreign jurisdiction, even if the "crime" he is supposed to have committed is not actually a crime in the UK. No prima facie evidence has to be presented to a magistrate in order to permit the warrant to be served.
Ironically, some foreign criminals cannot be deported to their home country because problems with their judiciary mean that their human rights are at risk of being infringed. The same safeguards would not apply to a British citizen subject to an EAW served by that same country.
Politicians appear to have lost sight of the fact they are meant to represent and protect the interests of the people of this country.
The Prime Minister promised a vote on this important legislation, but has been caught out deceiving the voters. Who now could believe he would deliver his "statement", formerly a promise, that he would hold a referendum in 2017? If ever there were evidence that it is time for a change, these events must surely present it.
A C Allen, Ukip PPC North Shropshire
