Conservative red-tape policy would let dangerous criminals roam free in Wales and Europe

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Jun 2009

John Dixon and Alan Butt Philip have condemned the Conservatives' opposition to the EU arrest warrant.

The Liberal Democrats have learned that the European Arrest Warrant, opposed by the Conservatives in Europe, has dramatically increased the safety of the UK. 335 dangerous criminals would have walked free under Conservative policy on Europe, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

Alan Butt Philip, lead Welsh Liberal Democrat European candidate said: "The figures are clear and the facts are chilling. Without the European Arrest Warrant, some 335 dangerous rapists, murderers, thieves and paedophiles would not have been brought back to face justice in the U.K. The Conservatives oppose this vital warrant because they refuse to see that Wales is stronger and safer working closely with our European neighbours. The Liberal Democrats fought hard for the European Arrest Warrant because we know that the worst offenders will benefit most from a Europe drowned in the dogma and red-tape the Tories would prefer."

Conservative MEPs voted against the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which has slashed extradition times across the EU from an average of eighteen months to just 43 days. David Cameron's Conservative party would allow hundreds of murderers, thieves, rapists and paedophiles to walk free if they get their way on 4 June.

Cardiff North's Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman, John Dixon, added: "The Welsh public has the right to expect our law to extend beyond Wales when dangerous offenders flee the country. We should also be thankful that some 920 dangerous criminals have been removed from the U.K. in the same way. Thanks to the hard work of Liberal Democrats in Europe and despite Conservative opposition, Wales is a safer country and our law enforcement stronger, for working with Europe. The Conservatives are so negative about Europe they can't even see the dangers of an isolated Wales."