Britain likely to tighten US-UK extradition law

LONDON — Britain is likely to overhaul its extradition laws amid concerns the United States is able to fly suspects out of the U.K. with little proof they have committed a crime, a senior government minister said Wednesday.

A review of current laws would propose changes and consider whether the present rules are "unbalanced" in favor of the U.S. and against British citizens, Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement to Parliament.

It follows worries over high profile extradition cases including hacker Gary McKinnon, who is wanted in the U.S. for allegedly breaking into American military computers, and retiree Christopher Tappin, accused of plotting to sell missile components to Iran.

"I’m fully aware there are a number of areas of the U.K.'s extradition arrangements which have attracted controversy in recent years," May said. "This government is committed to reviewing those arrangements to ensure they work both efficiently and in the interests of justice."

View Full Story