UK’s commitment to eradicate death penalty unlawfully undermined 

Responding to the Supreme Court judgment against the government in Elgizouli v Secretary of State for the Home Department, handed down today, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said:

“The UK has long had a proud commitment to eradicating the death penalty across the world. An important part of that is securing assurances that the death penalty will not be used when we help other countries prosecute criminals.

“It is shameful that this Conservative Government has undermined that commitment by unlawfully providing evidence to prosecutors in the US without even seeking death penalty assurances. We must not allow Conservative Ministers to compromise our values because of pressure from Donald Trump’s administration.

“The UK must oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and all countries. Liberal Democrats have been calling for an end to Ministers’ power to decide not to seek death penalty assurances, and today’s judgment makes clear why that is necessary.”