Tories oppose EU measures for Fair Trials abroad

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Nov 2003

British Conservative Euro-MPs have today preferred their anti-European fervour over sensible measures to enhance European justice by voting against the introduction of minimum safeguards for defendants in criminal cases across the EU.

The European Commission proposal - nonetheless overwhelmingly approved by the European Parliament - would spell out how fair trial rights enshrined in European human rights instruments should be respected in practice eg legal aid, interpretation and a 'letter of rights' to be given to each suspect. It now passes to EU governments for decision.

European Liberal Democrat East of England MEP, Andrew Duff, commented:

"Tory opposition to improving the quality of justice across the EU can only be explained by their virulent Euro-scepticism.

"The British Conservatives' own continental allies had no problem supporting the proposal and the Tories resorted to linking up with the far right. But these safeguards are vital to protect the interests of British people who - like the innocent planespotters prosecuted for spyng in Greece - fall foul of the law whilst abroad."