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Labour to force European Arrest Warrant vote

Labour will force a vote on the controversial European Arrest Warrant after a debate on the topic failed to take place in parliament yesterday.

The party are expected to push for it to happen next on November 19, saying it was necessary to avoid any later legal challenges.

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Euro arrest warrant 'key' to returning criminals to justice

Jeremy Forrest, right, boards a plane in France back to the UK in 2012. Credit: ITV News/AFP

Supporters of the European Arrest Warrant argue that it has played a vital role in securing the return to the UK of suspects in significant crimes, including 21/7 bomber Osman Hussein, who fled to Italy, and teacher Jeremy Forrest, who was returned from France to face trial over the alleged abduction of a 15-year-old girl.

But some Tories oppose the measure because of concerns that it is too easy for UK citizens to be extradited on relatively minor charges to countries where they may have no guarantee of a fair trial.

Mrs May has sought to reassure MPs they will be voting on the EAW alongside the 34 other measures following Labour claims that the Commons were only voting on some of the package.

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