BLACKBURN Labour MP Jack Straw and his Burnley LibDem counterpart Gordon Birtwistle have backed keeping the European Arrest Warrant as vital to bringing to justice East Lancashire criminals who flee abroad.

They spoke out after a massive Parliamentary row over Home Secretary Theresa May denying the House of Commons a separate vote on the issue on Monday night.

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Labour will use an opposition day debate next week to give MPs a chance to vote on the warrant.

Mr Straw and Mr Birtwistle said last night they would back its retention.

They join Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones who has already made clear his support for the warrant..

Several suspects from East Lancashire have been brought back to the UK to face justice using the system including:

  • Glen Tranter from Colne , arrested in Spain and jailed for six year in 2010 for a series of child sex attacks involving three girls over a 16-year period;
  • Darwen bank raiders Lee Tansey and Rickton Mark Henry, jailed for a total of 20 years between them in 2011 after being extradited from Spain on European arrest warrants; and
  • Mohammed Shah Nawaz Cheema, 30, jailed for two years in 2012 for sexually assaulting a sleeping teenager in Burnley after fleeing to to Barcelona following the attack.

Mr Bistwistle said: "We need the European Arrest Warrant or East Lancashire criminals will be able to flee abroad in a bid to escape justice.

"Several have been brought back using it.

"I do think the government should have given more time to for MPs debate it."

Former Home and Justice Secretary Mr Straw said: "We most certainly should not get rid of the European Arrest Warrant.

"It means that extradition for serious offences in the European Union is now a straightforward matter.

"Many criminals wanted in the UK have been brought back to face justice – including some in East Lancashire."

Mr Jones said earlier this week: "I strongly believe in retaining the EAW to help keep our communities safe, protect our borders, and stop criminals fleeing justice. It is important that we continue to have this power."

On Monday the government won its bid to re-sign the UK to 35 EU justice measures, including the controversial arrest warrant.

However, angry Labour and backbench Tory MPs accused ministers of breaking a promise after MPs were not given a vote on the warrant itself.

Tory MPs accused ministers of being "sly" and "underhand" over the issue.