Speaker agrees to Lib Dem request for an emergency debate on the UK's extradition laws
In a highly unusual move, Commons Speaker Michael Martin allowed Wednesday's debate after a request by Liberal Democrat MP Nick Clegg. Mr Clegg said an extradition accord with the US is one-sided because the Americans have failed to ratify it. "It's difficult to understand why the government should enact such an important piece of legislation without also exercising the political pressure in Washington, that is only this week belatedly being brought to bear, to encourage the US Congress to enact its side of the bargain," he said.
12 Jul 2006
