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Extradition law review 'to focus on US-UK treaty' Extradition law review 'to focus on US-UK treaty'
(40 minutes later)
An independent review of the UK's extradition laws is due to be announced by the home secretary.An independent review of the UK's extradition laws is due to be announced by the home secretary.
Theresa May is expected to say it will focus on the controversial treaty between the UK and the US.Theresa May is expected to say it will focus on the controversial treaty between the UK and the US.
Campaigners say the agreement is biased against Britain and is being used for offences it was not originally intended to cover.Campaigners say the agreement is biased against Britain and is being used for offences it was not originally intended to cover.
The review follows a series of high-profile cases, including that of computer hacker Gary McKinnon.The review follows a series of high-profile cases, including that of computer hacker Gary McKinnon.
'Even-handed''Even-handed'
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition had promised to take a fresh look at extradition arrangements between the countries.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition had promised to take a fresh look at extradition arrangements between the countries.
In its policy programme document, the parties said the government was to "review the operation" of the Extradition Act and the 2003 US/UK extradition treaty "to make sure it is even-handed".In its policy programme document, the parties said the government was to "review the operation" of the Extradition Act and the 2003 US/UK extradition treaty "to make sure it is even-handed".
Critics of the treaty, agreed between Washington and London in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks of 2001, say it is easier to extradite people from the UK than the US.Critics of the treaty, agreed between Washington and London in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks of 2001, say it is easier to extradite people from the UK than the US.
They say the arrangement is not reciprocal because the US does not need to present evidence to a British court to request extradition, while the UK still needs to present evidence to an American court.They say the arrangement is not reciprocal because the US does not need to present evidence to a British court to request extradition, while the UK still needs to present evidence to an American court.
The treaty was originally designed to make it easier to bring terrorist suspects to justice but campaigners say it is being used to seek extradition for other offences such as fraud and drug trafficking.The treaty was originally designed to make it easier to bring terrorist suspects to justice but campaigners say it is being used to seek extradition for other offences such as fraud and drug trafficking.
Conservative MP David Davis said Mr McKinnon's case and others showed "how ill thought out" some aspects of the agreements were.Conservative MP David Davis said Mr McKinnon's case and others showed "how ill thought out" some aspects of the agreements were.
"This review should also incorporate the proposed European Investigation Order which has further scope for unintended miscarriages of justice in which British citizens are penalised for actions which are not breaches of British law," he said."This review should also incorporate the proposed European Investigation Order which has further scope for unintended miscarriages of justice in which British citizens are penalised for actions which are not breaches of British law," he said.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil rights group Liberty, said Britain's "rotten extradition system" was in urgent need of an overhaul.Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil rights group Liberty, said Britain's "rotten extradition system" was in urgent need of an overhaul.
"No-one should be parcelled off to a foreign land without due process or when they could be dealt with here at home - people in the UK have been vulnerable to accusation and transportation across the globe for far too long," she said."No-one should be parcelled off to a foreign land without due process or when they could be dealt with here at home - people in the UK have been vulnerable to accusation and transportation across the globe for far too long," she said.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett, who signed the Extradition Act, has recently admitted he might have "given too much away" to the Americans.Former Home Secretary David Blunkett, who signed the Extradition Act, has recently admitted he might have "given too much away" to the Americans.
The announcement of the review comes on the day when a ruling is expected on whether terror suspect Abid Naseer can be extradited to the US, where he is wanted in connection with a failed plot to blow up the New York subway.
Decision delayedDecision delayed
Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, is accused of hacking into US military computer systems.Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, is accused of hacking into US military computer systems.
Mr McKinnon, 43, of Wood Green, north London, does not deny hacking into systems but insists he was seeking evidence of UFOs.Mr McKinnon, 43, of Wood Green, north London, does not deny hacking into systems but insists he was seeking evidence of UFOs.
Both Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have publicly condemned plans to extradite Mr McKinnon to the US - where he faces up to 60 years in jail.Both Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have publicly condemned plans to extradite Mr McKinnon to the US - where he faces up to 60 years in jail.
American authorities allege that between February 2001 and March 2002, Mr McKinnon hacked into dozens of US army, navy, air force and Department of Defense computers, as well as 16 Nasa computers.American authorities allege that between February 2001 and March 2002, Mr McKinnon hacked into dozens of US army, navy, air force and Department of Defense computers, as well as 16 Nasa computers.
They also say Mr McKinnon altered and deleted files at a US naval air station not long after the 9/11 attacks.They also say Mr McKinnon altered and deleted files at a US naval air station not long after the 9/11 attacks.
In May, the home secretary agreed to an adjournment to a High Court decision on whether his extradition could go ahead.In May, the home secretary agreed to an adjournment to a High Court decision on whether his extradition could go ahead.