§ Lord Hogg of Cumbernauldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the request from the German Government for Roisin McAliskey's extradition. [HL1005]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe German Government had requested Roisin McAliskey's return to stand trial for offences relating to the bombing of Osnabrüuck barracks in June 1996.
My right honourable friend has decided that he will not order Roisin McAliskey's return to Germany because he considers that the medical evidence in her case would make extradition unjust or oppressive.
The Home Secretary has a general discretion to refuse extradition in any individual case, and is obliged to do so if it would, having regard to all the circumstances of the individual, be unjust or oppressive to do so. This discretion is preserved in Section 12 of the Extradition Act 1989.
My right honourable friend has explained his decision to the German Government. It does not reflect in any way on the fairness of the German legal system or on the quality of the German extradition request. The United Kingdom enjoys excellent working relationships with Germany in the field of extradition and international co-operation against terrorism.