Britain must not become a transit lounge for alleged war criminals

It has just been announced that the former Libyan Foreign Minister, Mr Koussa has been allowed to leave the UK. I hope very much assurances have been given that he will return and face the due process of the British and International Courts for alleged war crimes.

This is what I said this afternoon on BBC Radio 4 World Service (transcript courtesy of Politics Home):

Robert Halfon: Britain isn't a transit lounge for alleged war criminals:

Robert Halfon said he believed Moussa Koussa should face trial for his alleged crimes, instead of being allowed to leave Britain.

"I think that many British people will be concerned that this man has been allowed to leave the UK. I think it's very important that our country doesn't become a transit lounge for alleged war criminals."

He added: "Mr Koussa released a statement last night and none of it was an apology to the many British victims of the Libyan regime whether it's Lockerbie or through the IRA or the late PC Yvonne Fletcher."

Mr Halfon said even if Koussa was involved in negotiations to end the conflict in Libya it didn't mean he had to leave Britain.

"A lot of this can be done by telecommunications. And the signal that you give out, we should have learnt this with the outrageous release of the Lockerbie bomber, Al-Megrahi, is that if you let these people out without due course of justice, facing the judicial system the signal that it gives to dictators around the world is one of encouragement rather than any punitive action."



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