HUGH DEMANDS A FAIR TRIAL

HUGH BLASTS GOVERNMENT OVER BRITISH DETAINEES IN GUATANAMO BAY

Hugh Robertson has attacked the Government over their handling of British detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Hugh wants the government to ensure that the detainees have access to legal help and to pressure President Bush to ensure that any trials in the USA are in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

Hugh said: "It is one of the oldest principals of this country that anyone accused of a crime has the right to a fair trial. Given the international situation, and the ongoing threat from international terrorists, the West's actions must be beyond reproach at this time.

"However, it is also the case that these men potentially stand accused of one of the most serious crimes that any UK national can commit - that of going to war against his own country.

"I am told by legal experts that if these men were repatriated to the UK, their cases would collapse. It would also be extremely disturbing for the relatives of UK servicemen killed in Afghanistan if there was a frenzy of legal aid followed by acquittal on a technicality.

Given the mess we are in, the only logical answer is for the detainees to be tried in the States to internationally accepted standards. They must be given access to legal help as a priority.

"This is an utter mess of the government's making. It was perfectly predictable that prisoners would be taken in Afghanistan and that Britons would be amongst them.

"The government should have had a proper plan to deal with them.