UK CITIZENS ARRESTED ABROAD TO GET NEW RIGHTS

BBC NEWS

British citizens arrested in other EU countries will always be told their rights in a language they understand under new plans, Ken Clarke has said.

The justice secretary has signed the UK up to a draft EU directive which, when it comes into force, will guarantee minimum standards of treatment.

Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said he was "delighted" that the UK had decided to opt-in to the directive.

"Every week FTI is contacted by people arrested abroad who have received no information on their basic legal rights or the case against them. All too often the result is injustice.

"This new law is an important step towards protecting core defence rights across Europe."