MEPs criticise ‘disproportionate’ use of European arrest warrants

Improved access to lawyers has been welcomed by Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International. He said: "It is a shocking fact that, even within Europe, people are still being denied private access to a lawyer at crucial points in their case. This law will be an important step in the right direction, towards a Europe where countries can work together to tackle serious crime, safe in the knowledge that basic defence rights will be respected."

Catherine Heard, head of policy at Fair Trials International said: "MEPs from a broad political base clearly share our concerns about the serious and continuing misuse of the arrest warrant. Only by working together to introduce key safeguards in the European arrest warrant system will the EU produce a fairer extradition system."