Lib Dems in NatWest Three Victory

1.49.57pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Jul 2006

Yesterday the Lib Dems won an unprecedented victory against the Government in a debate on the lop-sided Extradition Treaty with the United States.

Three former employees of Nat West bank were extradited to the United States under a treaty signed in 2003 that grants fewer rights to British citizens than to Americans.

Just four Labour MPs voted in favour of the treaty in the symbolic vote called by the Liberal Democrats this afternoon.

UK citizens can be extradited to the US without the United States having to make a clear case that they committed a crime. Yet we need to meet a much higher level of proof if we wish to extradite US citizens to the UK.

The Liberal Democrats have campaigned against this treaty for three years - ever since it was signed. We were the only party that voted against the extradition rules when they were brought into force.

Cllr Gary Malcolm said: "The battle isn't over: the Nat West Three, who were extradited today, are only the tip of the iceberg. Many other extradition cases are in the pipeline, and will be decided under this unfair treaty unless the Government acts now."