Liberal Democrats :Government should reopen negotiations on extradition treaty - NEWS l Nick Clegg's acceptance speech l Nick Clegg elected Liberal Democrat leader l World Bank funding must herald change in policy - Featherstone l Control order ruling is a hammer blow to a discredited system - NEWSGovernment should reopen negotiations on extradition treaty - Clegg 29 November 2007Commenting on the news that the so-called ‘Natwest Three’ have pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge after a plea bargain, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said: "A deal under US plea bargaining rules does not alter the fact that the Government entered into a secret and inherently unbalanced treaty which changed the rights of British citizens. "The furore about the ‘Natwest Three’ and their fate should prompt the Government to reopen negotiations, so that we have the same protections enjoyed by those in the US. About Mr Nick Clegg.
Below An email from Nick Cleg:
Dated: 2nd December 2007
From: HANNEY, Matthew [HANNEYM@parliament.uk]
To: brian.howes@bargainimportsuk.co.uk
Subject: Extradition of my partner Kerry-Ann Shanks and myself Brian Howes to the USA.
Dear Brian,
Nick Clegg has asked me to thank you for your email to him and reply on his behalf.
I sympathise with the position you and your partner find yourself in.
The Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the extradition treaty with US and your situation seems another example of why we were right to do so.
However I am afraid that due to strict parliamentary protocol as you are not his constituents Nick cannot act as an advocate for you or your partner.
I would suggest that you and your partner both contact your local MPs and ask them for assistance in you campaign.
I am sorry that we cannot do more to help you.
Kind Regards,
Matthew Hanney
Matthew Hanney
Policy Researcher to Nick Clegg MP
Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary
Tel/Fax: 020 7219 0260
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Extradition of my partner Kerry-Ann Shanks and myself
Brian
Howes to the USA
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:29:56 -0000
From: Brian Howes <brian.howes@bargainimportsuk.co.uk>
To: <nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk>
Hello Mr Clegg,
My partner and Kerry-Ann Shanks are being extradited to the USA and have
not committed any offence. We spent the first 7 months from January to
August in Scottish jails based on false information from the PF David
Dickson. How can we be sent to the USA if we have broken no laws. Our
four young girls have suffered while we were in prison and we fear now
they will end up in care. We have no criminal records and fear for our
children if we are taken away again. The only reason we got bail was
because I was on hunger strike for 30 days. I have been told that the
NatWest 3 have been bullied into a deal on the threat of the possibility
of not getting a fair trial. We are a normal happy family I am from
England and my partner from Scotland. My partner through these
proceedings and being away from our four young children and spending 214
days in prison is now on daily medication as it is not possible for her
to understand or indeed myself how this can be allowed to happen.
We fear that our four children will end up in care as our solicitors say
that fighting Extradition is almost impossible. I can't put into words
how my family are feeling and can only hope that you can imagine how it
feels having to tell your children aged 1, 5, 8, 10 that mum and dad
might not come home from court.
I even though not guilty of any crime have to consider making a deal to
stop my partner and wife to be from being sent to the USA. She has
suffered enough and so have our children. I cannot allow my kids to go
into care so the only logical thing to do is a deal. The police and the
USA are using Extradition instead of our own legal system because
evidence is not needed. If you can help in any way we would be grateful.
Regards,
Brian Howes.
P.S there is a lot more details but I have not got the energy tonight to
write it.
A Jamie Hepburn has tried to help us from the SNP party but I fear an
ordinary family unlike the NatWest 3 is of little concern in the
