I find it incredible that the current government thinks so little of the civil liberties of its own people that it allows a foreign government to come over here and arrest anyone without providing any evidence that a crime has been commited.

The Yanks are using the fast track procedures of the 2003 Extradition act to secure the extradition of three Natwest Executives (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5144156.stm)allegedly involved in the Enron Fraud case, the US marshals are coming for them in July and intend to take the “fugitives” back in leg irons.

However, should the UK try to extradite an IRA suspect from the States we’re told the US has not yet ratified the 2003 extradition treaty between the two countries, leaving the UK unable to seek the extradition of American citizens in the same way. Why? Because the Irish lobby in the Senate say so, that’s why.

This is an inept piece of legislation that allows a foreign government to persecute uk citizens with impunity, it was rushed through in the post 9/11 hysteria, supposedly to protect us from the terrorist threat but out of the 24 extraditions so far only two are linked to terrorism, the Yanks have got global jurisdiction by the back door, signed away by ex home secretary & local lad David Blunkett.

Oh BTW, happy Independence day Yanks, at least you’ve still got the Bill of Rights. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights) .......so far

Comments anyone?

Thats 3 threads now about Independence day, some comments on the other 2 as well.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123914

Have to agree with the OP but would also add the EU Arrest Warrant into the mix - it's even worse. You can be arrested for a crime that does not exist in the UK and can't do anything about it!

Info: http://www.brugesgroup.com/news.live?article=31&keyword=10

But I'm sure it will only be used against serious criminals... :rolleyes:

I remember getting all het up about this 3 years ago here. (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13539) Ironic that it's white collar city bankers that are the first victims, rather than the bearded mullahs they might have hoped for.

You can't blame the US though, It's our very own David Blunkett who signed this asymmetrical extradition treaty that was even rejected by Croatia (I believe that the UK were the only country to agree to Ashcroft's proposal.)

I suppose we don't have an Independence Day 'cos we've never forced independence for ourselves from foreign conquerors. I suppose we could celebrate our independence from Roman rule.....but you'd need a hell of a marketing budget methinks to try and sell it to folk.

But I'm sure it will only be used against serious criminals... :rolleyes:

Try telling that to the 3 Natwest guys, because of the complex nature of the fraud case they look like spending at least 2 years in a Texas jail before the case even gets to court, with no chance of parole, for a crime they allegedly committed whilst in the UK.

Any international businessman who deals with the US could fall foul of their commercial laws and end up in the same boat…. extradited without evidence of a crime been committed.

Perhaps we could celebrate when Charles the 1st was beheaded and we got rid of the Monarchy for good!

Try telling that to the 3 Natwest guys, because of the complex nature of the fraud case they look like spending at least 2 years in a Texas jail before the case even gets to court, with no chance of parole, for a crime they allegedly committed whilst in the UK.

Any international businessman who deals with the US could fall foul of their commercial laws and end up in the same boat…. extradited without evidence of a crime been committed.


to be honest i couldnt care less. i'm more interested in the crime that affects the man in the street, not the inadequacies of natwest or it's staff.non of which has any bearing on normal people.

I suppose we don't have an Independence Day 'cos we've never forced independence for ourselves from foreign conquerors. I suppose we could celebrate our independence from Roman rule.....but you'd need a hell of a marketing budget methinks to try and sell it to folk.
Except the Romans withdrew of their own accord due to pressing matters elsewhere in the Empire...

But what the hell, let's celebrate it anyway! :D

That was the best bit about living in central london. We got to hang onto the coat tails of everyone elses celebrations and party!

4th July
St Patricks day
Australia Day

we could have a party every week.

Usually a celebration of getting rid of the brits :suspect:

Try telling that to the 3 Natwest guys, because of the complex nature of the fraud case they look like spending at least 2 years in a Texas jail before the case even gets to court, with no chance of parole, for a crime they allegedly committed whilst in the UK.

Any international businessman who deals with the US could fall foul of their commercial laws and end up in the same boat…. extradited without evidence of a crime been committed.

Think you missed the Sarcastic smiley I used! I'm sure it won't be used for dangerous individuals!

I find it incredible that the current government thinks so little of the civil liberties of its own people that it allows a foreign government to come over here and arrest anyone without providing any evidence that a crime has been commited.

It's the yanks - don't dare question them or you will be branded a terrorist suspect and get a one way ticket to a secret base to be "questioned".
The US have the right to do anything they like and our wonderful PM will agree.
WMD anyone ?