Extradition treaty with US needs radical overhaul, say MPs

 

An urgent review of the “one-sided” rules is needed because it is easier to extradite Briton to America than vice versa and public confidence in the treaty has been shattered, according to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. It calls for immediate and dramatic changes, including the introduction of an “evidence test” that would require some of the case against the person to be submitted as part of the extradition bid. The Government should also implement a “forum bar”, which would make it easier for an individual to be tried in their own country. The damning report was last night welcomed by campaigners fighting for a change in the 2003 Extradition Treaty between the UK and US. There is growing concern in the wake of a series of high profile cases including that of alleged computer hacker Gary McKinnon and retired businessman Christopher Tappin.