Embargo: Immediate, 11th February 2004
Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, asked Tony Blair at Prime Minister's Questions to clarify the current state of negotiations over the Guantanamo Bay detainees.
Mr Kennedy challenged the Prime Minister as to whether a deadline had been set for an end to the detainees' imprisonment. Then, in light of concern that the Home Secretary is seeking to lower the burden of proof for terrorist suspects, the leader of the Liberal Democrats sought an assurance from the Prime Minister that if brought back and tried, the detainees' trial would "not undermine the fundamental principles of British justice".
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Full text of PMQ exchange follows
Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP
Can the Prime Minister clarify the current state of negotiations between the British Government and the American administration over the British Citizens that have been held captive in Guantanamo Bay?
Prime Minister
Yes I can. I think we are continuing to negotiate over whether they should be tried by the US Commission or whether they should be referred. It is an option in the end that we have as to which of those courses is pursued. I am sorry, I have to say this, but it is taking time. But it's taking time - and I hope the House understands this - for very, very good reasons. We want to make sure if people are brought back here that we are not in any shape or form - and I say this without any disrespect to the people concerned - endangering the security of this country.
Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP
From that very important latter point. Given the recent comment of the Home Secretary about lowering the burden of proof in terrorist cases, can the Prime Minister give the House an absolute assurance that we will not undermine the fundamental principles of British justice if these people are brought back to these shores and are then made to stand trial? And has he set with the American Government a deadline for this to be resolved for once and for all?
Prime Minister
No there isn't deadline for it, and in a sense it is for us ultimately to decide if we cannot reach agreement that we bring them back here. But in relation to civil liberties and issues to do with legislation we won't do anything, indeed I don't believe we have done anything, to undermine the central civil liberties in this country. But there is a real issue and danger to deal with terrorism. That is the reason why we took exceptional measures in this House, that were passed through this House in order to allow us to detain people in circumstance where they are not British national but would not be convicted in a court of law. Beyond reasonable doubt. And we have taken those powers in respect of people who aren't British nationals because of the dangers of terrorism poses to this country. Now we will continue to keep the law under review which is what my Right Honourable friend was saying. But I do say to my Right Honourable Gentleman and I say to the House, these issues to do with the dangers of terrorism are real and there are groups of people in this country right round the world at the moment who would have no compunction at all - we saw this in Moscow last week - in killing large numbers of innocent people. And I simply say to him that I know whilst this part of legislation is before the House, people's worries are about civil liberties. I can tell him if some terrible terrorist even did occur their worry would be security.
ENDS
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