Detainee Mistreatment and Rendition

Debate between Lord Blunkett and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Monday 2nd July 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare an interest—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

My Lords, I apologise for interrupting the noble Lord but we usually have 10 minutes for a Urgent Question repeated from the other place. Those 10 minutes are up, and we have other business to transact.

Brexit: European Union Police Databases and Extradition Arrangements

Debate between Lord Blunkett and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Wednesday 20th June 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I am sure that the House would like to hear from the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett.

[Lord Blunkett]

My Lords, I was Home Secretary when we entered the European arrest warrant as part of the negotiation at the time. I reinforce the points made by the noble Lord, Lord King, and my noble friend Lord Anderson. But I make a little offer. It is entirely right that we have to persuade Michel Barnier and others that it is in everyone’s mutual interest to retain our facility and access to the EAW, but in 2014 many of us had a real task in persuading the coalition Government, I think probably because of the Liberal Democrats, that remaining in or re-entering—because we had the opt-out—the EAW was essential. I offer my heartfelt skill in negotiating with Michel Barnier, as we had to do with the coalition Government.