US approves 'Natwest Three' treaty

A US Senate panel today approved an extradition treaty with Britain that caused controversy when it was used to send three British bankers to the US to face trial.

The Senate foreign relations committee approved the treaty by voice vote, despite some reservations by senators. It now goes to the full Senate for ratification.

British and American officials say the treaty is aimed at combating terrorism and dealing with other criminal cases but critics say it makes greater demands of Britain than of the US.

Mr Blair came under intense political pressure after the treaty was used to send three British bankers to the United States to face prosecution on charges related to the collapse of the Enron energy company, which cost shareholders billions of pounds.

The extradition of the bankers, known as the NatWest Three, sparked an unusual protest outside the US Embassy in London by British businessmen who said it was aimed at white collar crime.

Mr Blair has defended the treaty repeatedly, saying it safeguards suspects’ rights and requires a level of evidence on the part of American authorities that is “roughly analogous to the one that we apply in this country".

In the US, Irish-Americans opposed the accord, arguing Britain could use it to prosecute Irish-Americans who support separatists in Northern Ireland.