MEPs stand firm on air traveller data

THE European Parliament snubbed member governments yesterday and refused to reconsider its opposition to a contentious transatlantic anti-terrorist deal on sharing airline passenger data.

The parliament in Strasbourg voted 343 to 301 against the request to offer an opinion on the deal. Eighteen MEPs abstained.

The decision not to vote on the deal, negotiated last December between the commission and the US, is a setback for EU governments keen to boost anti-terrorist co-operation with the US.