Lib Dem MEP: Moran case shows need to keep EAW

The Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has said she welcomes the arrest of Andrew Moran, one of Britain's most wanted criminals, at a luxury villa in Spain's Costa Blanca. Mr Moran was charged with armed robbery in 2005, but escaped justice by fleeing to Spain before being convicted in absence of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and placed on the Serious Organised Crime Agency's most wanted list. He is set to be extradited back to the UK using the European Arrest Warrant after appearing before a Spanish court earlier today.

Sarah Ludford commented about the European Arrest Warrant and some Conservatives wanting the British to withdraw from it: "Without the European Arrest Warrant, Andrew Moran would have been able to evade British justice for his armed robbery conviction by sitting on a beach in Spain's Costa Blanca. Remarkably many Conservatives have called for the UK to opt out of the EAW even though top police officers have warned them against this. If these Tory Eurosceptics had their way, serious criminals like Mr Moran would be able to escape justice by fleeing abroad." 

Concluding Ms Ludford said: As a Liberal Democrat, I have been campaigning hard for the UK to keep the EAW so our police have the tools they need to catch criminals. I welcome the recent news that the Home Secretary Theresa May has finally listened to the Liberal Democrats and decided that the UK should remain in the EAW so that criminals cannot escape British justice."