Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, today promised that he would not cease in his fight for justice for constituent Michael Turner.
Turner, of Corfe Castle was imprisoned in Hungary after an European Arrest Warrant was issued in 2008 in connection with a fraud investigation. He was held without charge for 115 days, before being released with no explanation in 2010. He is now being sought once again by the Hungarian authorities.
Richard Drax was reacting to a response from Home Office Minister, Baroness Neville Jones - who is responsible for extradition matters – who says that there is nothing the Home Office can do in this case.
“Because the EAW is a judicial matter, there is no Ministerial involvement in its operation,” says Drax. “Whilst I accept that we can’t do anything, I am far from happy.”
“This is further evidence of how neutered we are by EU law and only reinforces my view that our country’s sovereignty is leaching away at an alarming rate.”
“Cases like this infuriate me. Mr Turner is not only my constituent; he is a British citizen, whom we should be protecting and representing.”
“It is ironic that the EU places so much emphasis on human rights, then allows this to happen to Michael Turner.”
The MP has promised to write “forcibly” to an upcoming independent panel conducting a review into the UK’s extradition arrangements. The review will include examination of the operation of the EAW and any safeguards built in to protect citizens from unfair arrest.
ENDS
Notes to Editors: While a court hearing in 2009 confirmed that an EAW cannot be used for a mere investigation, judges are forced to give’ judicial trust’ to extraditing EU authorities as part of a Brussels directive. Mr Justice Collins concluded that, although Michael Turner’s case is only an investigation, this is why he cannot withstand extradition. However, Fair Trials International disagreed with this interpretation and have taken on Michael Turner’s case.