As a result of the Emergency Meeting on Extradition to the US held in Parliament on the 20th June 2012 it was agreed that a Cross Party delegation of MP's would request a meeting with Damien Green the Immigration Minister. Caroline Lucas wrote to the minister on behalf of the Cross Party delegation of Caroline Lucas, Dominic Raab, John Hemmings, John McDonnell, Zac Goldsmith, Sadiq Khan and Yasmin Quereshi. Other MP's have already stated their willingness to join this delegation too.
Letter from Caroline Lucas MP (Brighton Pavilion-Green):
Original Letter:
27 June 2012
Dear Damian,
I am writing with the support of a cross party group of MPs
that includes John Hemming, Zac Goldsmith, John McDonnell, Yasmin Qureshi, and
Sadiq Khan to urgently request a meeting about the imminent extradition of four
British citizens – Richard O’Dwyer, Gary McKinnon, Talha Ahsan and
Babar Ahmad.
We appreciate your previous statement that the Government is
considering its position in the light of the Report of the Extradition Review
Panel, the Joint Human Rights Committee Report and recent parliamentary debates
in the House of Commons, however we are concerned by the impact of the ongoing
delay on these four cases in particular. We are anxious to prevent grave
miscarriages of justice – all 4 men could face extradition within weeks.
As a result, we urge you to meet with us at the earliest possible opportunity
and look forward to hearing from you regards potential dates.
Best wishes,
Caroline
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Link to Parliamentary Motion Passed 5th December 2011
Last night Caroline Lucas heard that Damien Green has refused to meet with MP's.
Damien Greens Letter
NB: The Minister's reason given" that it would be inappropriate to discuss cases that remained under review" is not a valid reason given the Minister has in the past met with Janis Sharp (Gary McKinnon’s mum) with Trudie Styler (Sting’s wife) to discuss Gary’s case.
Caroline Lucas' response:
I am
outraged by the Government’s lack of concern both for the democratic process
and for the individuals and families that are suffering because of the current
extradition laws. The Minister has used pending court cases and decisions to be
taken by the Home Secretary as grounds for refusing to discuss the matter with
MPs from across the political spectrum, many of whom have constituents that are
facing imminent extradition and possible breaches of their human rights. These
decisions about what happens to British citizens and their right to a British
trial are precisely why a meeting with the Home Office Minister is so
important, and why it is so unacceptable that the Government are continuing to
stand in the way of justice.
