MP did not oppose law (From Enfield Independent)

MP did not oppose law

1:09pm Friday 29th January 2010

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The case of Andrew Symeou has understandably drawn significant press and public interest (‘No get out of jail card’, Enfield Independent, January 20).

Most recently, our local MP Joan Ryan highlighted the plight of Mr Symeou, who is currently in jail in Greece having been extradited under the European arrest warrant. I have to say I am struck by yet another example of her naked hypocrisy.

The European arrest warrant allows any member state of the EU to issue a warrant for arrest and therefore extradition to another member state without any opportunity to test the facts in a British court.

This is a crucial element of the complaint from Mr Symeou’s family and supporters, and indeed Ms Ryan now states she feels the evidence against him is questionable.

What she seems to have forgotten is that it was the Labour Government, which she served as Home Office minister, that drove through legislation that allowed this appalling intrusion into our justice system from Europe in the first place.

In short, as a member of the Government and a Labour MP, Ms Ryan did not challenge this dreadful law that meant Andrew Symeou could be arrested in this country and extradited to Greece without contest.

Her obsession with toeing the party line has come home to roost, but it is Mr Symeou who has been paying the price for her mistakes.

ADELE PANAYI, Nags Head Road, Enfield

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