Nick Clegg

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NEWS Government should reopen negotiations on extradition treaty - Clegg 29 November 2007 Commenting on the news that the so-called ‘Natwest Three’ have pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge after a plea bargain, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said: "A deal under US plea bargaining rules does not alter the fact that the Government entered into a secret and inherently unbalanced treaty which changed the rights of British citizens. "The furore about the ‘Natwest Three’ and their fate should prompt the Government to reopen negotiations, so that we have the same protections enjoyed by those in the US. About Mr Nick Clegg.

Below An email from Nick Cleg:

Dated: 2nd December 2007
From: HANNEY, Matthew [HANNEYM@parliament.uk]
To: brian.howes@bargainimportsuk.co.uk
Subject: Extradition of my partner Kerry-Ann Shanks and myself Brian Howes to the USA.

Dear Brian,

Nick Clegg has asked me to thank you for your email to him and reply on his behalf.

I sympathise with the position you and your partner find yourself in.

The Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the extradition treaty with US and your situation seems another example of why we were right to do so.

However I am afraid that due to strict parliamentary protocol as you are not his constituents Nick cannot act as an advocate for you or your partner.

I would suggest that you and your partner both contact your local MPs and ask them for assistance in you campaign.

I am sorry that we cannot do more to help you.

Kind Regards,

Matthew Hanney

Policy Researcher to Nick Clegg MP

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary

Tel/Fax: 020 7219 0260

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Extradition of my partner Kerry-Ann Shanks and myself

Brian

Howes to the USA

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:29:56 -0000

From: Brian Howes <brian.howes@bargainimportsuk.co.uk>

To: <nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk>

Hello Mr Clegg,

My partner and Kerry-Ann Shanks are being extradited to the USA and have

not committed any offence. We spent the first 7 months from January to

August in Scottish jails based on false information from the PF David

Dickson. How can we be sent to the USA if we have broken no laws. Our

four young girls have suffered while we were in prison and we fear now

they will end up in care. We have no criminal records and fear for our

children if we are taken away again. The only reason we got bail was

because I was on hunger strike for 30 days. I have been told that the

NatWest 3 have been bullied into a deal on the threat of the possibility

of not getting a fair trial. We are a normal happy family I am from

England and my partner from Scotland. My partner through these

proceedings and being away from our four young children and spending 214

days in prison is now on daily medication as it is not possible for her

to understand or indeed myself how this can be allowed to happen.

We fear that our four children will end up in care as our solicitors say

that fighting Extradition is almost impossible. I can't put into words

how my family are feeling and can only hope that you can imagine how it

feels having to tell your children aged 1, 5, 8, 10 that mum and dad

might not come home from court.

I even though not guilty of any crime have to consider making a deal to

stop my partner and wife to be from being sent to the USA. She has

suffered enough and so have our children. I cannot allow my kids to go

into care so the only logical thing to do is a deal. The police and the

USA are using Extradition instead of our own legal system because

evidence is not needed. If you can help in any way we would be grateful.

Regards,

Brian Howes.

P.S there is a lot more details but I have not got the energy tonight to

write it.

A Jamie Hepburn has tried to help us from the SNP party but I fear an

ordinary family unlike the NatWest 3 is of little concern in the

political scene.

Nick Clegg MP

Sheffield Hallam

Web: http://www.nickclegg.org.uk

Office: 85 Nethergreen Road, Sheffield, S11 7EH

Tel: 0114 230 9002 Fax: 0114 230 9614

Email: nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk

Whilst Nick Clegg MP will treat as confidential any personal information

which you pass on, he will normally allow staff and authorised

volunteers to see it if this is needed to help and advise you. The MP

may pass on all or some of this information to agencies such as the DSS,

the Inland Revenue or the local Council if this is necessary to help

with your case. Nick Clegg MP may wish to write to you from time to time

to keep you informed on issues which you may find of interest. Please

let him know if you do not wish to be contacted for this purpose.