MILIBAND HUMILIATES IAIN GRAY - MACASKILL ACTED "IN THE RIGHT WAY"

IAIN GRAY'S CASE UNDERCUT BY UK GOVERNMENT “RESPECT” FOR SCOTTISH PROCESS

Labour’s leader in the Scottish Parliament has been undercut by UK Ministers today as David Miliband confirmed that neither he nor the Prime Minister wanted Mr Megrahi to die in jail – the supposed position of Iain Gray – and as Mr Miliband gave his backing to the Scottish Government’s handling of the issue.

Speaking on Radio 4 Today programme this morning Foreign Secretary David Miliband said:

“We did not want him to die in prison. No, we weren't seeking his death in prison. We have been absolutely clear."

On the Scottish Government’s handling of the decision over Mr Megrahi he said:

“The decision to make was for the Scottish Government and they have done so in a way which we respect but which is absolutely according to the constitution of this country"

The Foreign Secretary continued:

“The account that has been discussed over the last two weeks is first of all was the Scottish administration doing its constitutional duty in the right way - point one yes.”

SNP MSP Michael Matheson said:

“This is a further humiliation for Iain Gray and Richard Baker.

“It is not just the evidence that undercuts Labour’s arguments it is their own Foreign Secretary.

“The UK Government is clear that they respect what the Scottish Government has done and the way in which it was done.

“Mr Miliband confirmed this morning that neither he nor Gordon Brown had wanted Mr Megrahi to die in a Scottish jail and he has confirmed that in his view the Scottish Government acted “in the right way”.

“Labour have spent two weeks concocting arguments only for David Miliband and Gordon Brown to pull the rug from under them.

"Iain Gray and Richard Baker’s complaints are exposed as nothing more than empty political posturing."

'Don't let Gary go' American Civil Liberties Union joins calls to stop unfair extradition

ACLU writes to the Foreign Secretary criticising extradition treaty between UK and US

(London – 27 August 2009) – The American Civil Liberties Union today wrote to the David Miliband expressing their concern about extradition arrangements between Britain and America. In a letter from the Executive Director Anthony Romero to the Foreign Secretary, the civil liberties group state:

“…that all people facing extradition either to or from the US should only be sent to face trial in a foreign country after there has been meaningful judicial review”

The ACLU support for Gary McKinnon comes on the same day that Liberty staged a protest outside the American Embassy and presented the new American Ambassador with a hamper welcoming him to his new role. The hamper contained a letter from Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, the ACLU letter, ‘don’t let Gary go’ paper planes from the protest, a copy of the Magna Carta and the Human Rights Act as well as produce representing the countries of the United Kingdom.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty said:

“"The intervention of Liberty's sister, the American Civil Liberties Union, proves that Britain's Extradition Act is an international embarrassment. Vulnerable people like Gary McKinnon can be bundled off to other countries when they ought to be dealt with at home.

Janice Sharp's campaign for fairness for her son Gary has touched the hearts of parents everywhere. If Parliament doesn't amend Britain's rotten Extradition Act to put discretion and common sense back into the system, other vulnerable sons and daughters are bound to suffer."

Liberty, who campaign against unfair extradition in all its forms, argues that where conduct constituting a crime occurs in the UK then a British court should be allowed to refuse extradition if it’s in the interests of justice to do so. Liberty also holds that the requesting country should have to make out the case for extradition in a British court before the request is granted.

We need a comprehensive strategy in Afghanistan

William Hague has stressed a “comprehensive strategy” must be put in place to bring about a stable Afghanistan.

He said there was “nothing new” about David Miliband’s suggestion that moderate elements of the Taliban are included in talks in Afghanistan.

And he made clear that this must be only one element of our approach:

“(Our) strategy must include clear, tightly drawn, realistic objectives that are regularly reviewed, more rapid development of the Afghan security forces, and ensuring that the gains won by British forces on the battlefield are swiftly followed by reconstruction.”

“Above all, the British Government must ensure that our troops are properly equipped for the crucial operations they are involved in, including the earliest possible increase in the number of helicopters and armoured vehicles.”

Hague urges Miliband to bring the Binyam Mohamed case to an end

William Hague has called on David Miliband to "do the right thing" and ask the Obama Administration for the right to release information on Binyam Mohamed's treatment.

This follows a ruling from the High Court giving the Foreign Secretary one final opportunity to present evidence to the Court on Mr Mohamed's treatment. The Court will then reconsider whether it will publish those details.

William has said that David Miliband must "stop prevaricating and bring this saga to an end", adding:

"The Foreign Secretary's refusal to take this simple step is baffling and does nothing to dispel allegations of Britain's complicity in torture or the Government's attempt to cover it up."

And he stressed, "There is a need for clarity and a need to draw a line under this case."