Euro MP wins backing for citizens' rights in criminal proceedings

CITIZENS' Right campaigner, Euro MP Arlene McCarthy, won backing from her fellow Euro MPs for her proposals to strengthen citizens' rights when facing criminal proceedings in another EU country.

Arlene said:- "being arrested while abroad, when you don't know the language or your legal rights, can be the beginning of a nightmare. I am determined to put an end to the kind of traumatic real life experience that one of my constituents recently faced."

Claire, a local resident, flew to Spain on holiday. On arrival she was arrested and eventually deported to Hungary, only for the charges she faced to be dismissed when she finally reached court. In the intervening weeks she faced unacceptable treatment. This is her story...  "I was arrested from the plane at Malaga airport. I was not given a translator in Malaga when they were detailing my arrest, nor were any papers in English, as a result I had no idea why and what the reasons for my arrest were. Only in Madrid court when facing the judge was there a translator and then I understood the reasons. This was over 24 hours later. I requested the police contact a lawyer friend of mine in Marbella to come and represent me and to explain to me the reasons for my arrest. Upon her returning a call to the police station where I was being held she was informed I had a lawyer and she was no longer required. I [was given] no choice but to use their lawyer who spoke no English.  I was denied my solution for my contact lenses which were in my eyes for over 2 days thus resulting in an eye infection. I do not possess glasses, and therefore without my lenses I cannot see.  I spent 3 weeks in a Spanish High security prison, where I was denied visitors and my first telephone call was 5 days after my arrest. I was allowed 2 minutes to a Spanish number only. It was 1 week after my arrest that I was allowed to make my next telephone call.  I was denied a phone call to inform lawyers [and] family I was being extradited.  I was denied my medication once in Hungary.  The police translator in Hungary struggled to correctly translate what I was stating, it took several times to explain the same point.  No papers were given in English, and I had to sign documents to which I have no real idea what they were stating."

Arlene said:- “No one should face this kind of terrible ordeal. Sadly Claire's case is not unique. These kinds of infringements of people's rights are one of the most persistent issues I take up on behalf of my constituents."  She added:- "I welcome today's backing for my amendments to prevent future injustices and ensure my constituents never again face such treatment.”

Arlene's proposals, backed in the vote by the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, include:-

► Full information, in writing and translated into your language, when arrested including:-

o how long you can be held and how you can challenge your detention.

o the right to silence.

o the right to a lawyer and conditions for legal aid.

the right to interpretation and translation.

o the right to contact friends, family and consular officials.

o the right to necessary medical care.

o the right not to sign a document that is not in your own language.

► Clear information on your rights if arrested under a European Arrest Warrant, including for a hearing in which a judge must consider whether the warrant was properly issued and if you should be surrendered.

► The right for you or your lawyer to see the evidence against you.

Growing Fear in North West Over Jobs & Finances As Cutbacks Bite

AS local authorities start axing thousands of staff, UK unemployment reaches 2.5m, and inflation rises to 3.7%, a new national survey of 2,000 people shows growing anxiety over the Government cutbacks.  The survey, by a money saving website questioned people across the UK and found that in the North West 87% are worried about the planned cuts, while 76% don’t believe the Government is telling the truth about the extent of the cuts being planned. Simon Terry, director of the website DiscountVouchers.co.uk, said that:- “There is real concern about the scale of the cuts being made. We are already seeing county councils slashing their numbers by thousands, and the knock on effect of this, together with rising inflation, is creating a lot of fear and insecurity about what the future holds in terms of finances and employment.”

The survey found that 78% expect to be up to £300 per month worse off due to the cutbacks being implemented, with 11% saying they will be up to £1000 per month worse off – just 10% said they didn’t expect the cuts to impact on their financial situation.  62% of North West respondents said they are worried that the cutbacks will affect their own job security, while 64% said that they, or someone they know, work in the public sector and are concerned about their on-going employment.

This concern over jobs and finances is resulting in many people putting major purchases and life changing events on hold. Across the UK 40% are putting off home improvements; 38% are holding off buying expensive items such as a new car or holiday; 22% have chosen not to move house; 17% have decided not to change jobs; 7% have put off having a baby; and 7% have put wedding plans on hold.

“It’s the uncertainty of the cuts and the impact they’re going to have that is creating real concern among so many people. Many people we spoke to expect the cuts to run a lot further and deeper than the Government is claiming, and as a result they’re preparing themselves for tough times ahead.” said Simon.

When asked which areas they would be happy to see cutbacks made in, 68% said the benefits system; 41% said in local councils; 21% the armed forces; 14% public services such as waste collection; 10% the NHS; 9% education; and 8% policing. Other areas where respondents said they would like to see cutbacks made include MPs salaries and expenses, quangos and banker bonuses.

54% of those questioned in the North West said they think the Government cuts will damage the UK economy, however 41% of respondents said they thought the cutbacks being made are necessary for the economy, while 43% believe they aren’t vital for the country.

Work begins on Allerton Road scheme

MAJOR improvement works are about to get underway on Allerton Road, South Liverpool. The Allerton Road District Centre Improvement Scheme starts on site on Monday, 7 February, 2011. It will see the removal of the central reservation planter and improved street lighting between Queens Drive and Green Lane. Improvement works will also take place on the service road on Allerton Road between Queens Drive and Green Lane, including the upgrading of pedestrian crossings, junction and bus stop improvements and street lighting upgrades. The £670,000 works are funded by Tesco, as part of a planning obligation in relation to their store on Mather Avenue, and are being delivered by Enterprise-Liverpool Ltd and Aggregate Industries. The 12 week scheme has been split into phases, with work to the central reservation running concurrently with the service road works to minimise disruption. During the central reservation works, it is proposed to reduce the two lanes for traffic to one, outbound (vehicles travelling in the direction from Queens Drive to Green Lane). However, parking bays will remain in place. While construction is underway on the service road, short sections of the road will be closed, but access to businesses and residential properties will be maintained wherever possible. The city council’s cabinet member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said:- “These works will massively improve Allerton Road and benefit motorists, residents and businesses for many years to come. We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience that these works may cause. We are doing all we can to minimise the impact and we are working closely with local residents and businesses to keep disruption to the lowest level possible.”