Extradition Review

Tuesday 20 December 2011
Thatcher Room

11.00am
Rt Hon Sir Scott Baker

Purpose of session:

The Coalition Government promised, when it came to power, to review the operation of the Extradition Act 2003 and the US/UK Extradition Treaty to make sure they are even-handed. Rt Hon Sir Scott Baker, a former Court of Appeal Judge, was appointed to carry out the review. His Report was published on 30 September.

Sir Scott’s Report found no major problems with the operation of US/UK extradition arrangements. It proposed minor changes to the European Arrest Warrant, such as the introduction of a proportionality test.

Last week, following a debate initiated by the Backbench Business Committee, the House passed a Resolution calling on the Government to introduce new safeguards for those whose extradition is sought from the UK, either under the US/UK Treaty or under the European Arrest Warrant.

The Committee will question Sir Scott about the findings of his Report and the operation of the extradition system more generally.

Committee Chair Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP said:

“It is vital to our national security that we have effective extradition arrangements with our international partners. But there is widespread public concern about several high-profile extradition cases, including those of Gary McKinnon and Babar Ahmad, who are wanted in the USA for computer-related crimes committed from within the UK.

Extradition arrangements must provide justice for the accused and fairness between countries. The House has now directed the Government to improve the safeguards in our system.

The Committee will question Sir Scott on the findings of his Review, including ways in which these safeguards can be introduced.”