MPs expected to vote on the European Arrest Warrant this week, and whether powers devolved to Europe should be brought back to Britain and British courts. It was disappointing to say the least that a vote on such an important issue was not forthcoming as had been expected. Instead we were asked to debate a cluster of 35 measures relating to criminal justice under European Court of Justice and EU control.
We all want to see criminals from whatever country brought to justice, and locked up if necessary. That is not the issue. Whilst set up with laudable intentions, the European Arrest Warrant has proved to be too blunt an instrument on many occasions. As the EU has expanded, it has become clear that it is not just the economies of member countries that are divergent. Their legal systems are as well. MPs have reported worrying cases of constituents extradited under the EAW to other EU member countries, only to spend very long periods on remand languishing in prison, having been found guilty of nothing. This is unacceptable in my opinion.
I could not vote with the Government on this occasion because I do not want to see further powers transferred to Europe. It is possible for the UK to enter into individual extradition treaties with fellow EU member countries, but I was not willing to support a scheme which takes further powers away from British courts and British judges.