Poll: Should MPs throw out the European Arrest Warrant?
MPs were today deciding whether Britain should opt out of the European Arrest Warrant – with a warning from senior judges ringing in their ears.
One Shropshire Tory MP was waiting for today's debate in parliament before deciding how to vote.
But in an open letter 40 senior judges and lawyers warned Britain will become a "safe haven" for foreign criminals and fugitives if it opts out, warning "there is no credible alternative" to the arrest warrant.
It comes as David Cameron is facing a backbench rebellion from Tory MPs in a vote on the controversial justice measure, which is expected to be held next week.
Should MPs throw out the European Arrest Warrant? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comment box below.
Scores of Tory MPs are expected to vote against the warrant amid concerns that it infringes on the rights of British citizens and will lead to Britons being deported on spurious grounds.
But in their letter the lawyers, judges and professors warn that "Britain can only lead reform of Europe's criminal justice co-operation by being part of the system".
MPs will be voting today on whether the UK should allow police to extradite suspects quickly between EU states – one of the 35 EU law enforcement measures legal ministers want to keep.
William Hague announced the debate on whether or not Britain should be opting into these measures, including the European Arrest Warrant, which the government also wants to retain.
Many Tory MPs, aware of the anti-European feeling among voters, are expected to rebel and vote for the UK to opt out of the warrant arrangement.
Opting out of the EAW would prevent the extradition to Britain of extremists like Hussain Osman, who was convicted after trying to repeat the July 7 terror attacks, or Jeremy Forrest, the teacher who was jailed last year for abducting a schoolgirl.
MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham Daniel Kawczynski said he was aware of the concerns of the legal profession, adding: "I want to hear the debate before I make my decision because I want to know the full for and against for this. But at the moment, I am minded to vote in favour because it will be important for police to be able to track and trace criminals and bring them to justice"
Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said: "
I don't want Britain becoming a safe haven for terrorists – so I will be supporting the government."
