NEWS RELEASE
"GEORGE W BUSH HAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NOT A CAT IN HELL'S CHANCE OF GUANTANAMO BAY PRISONERS GETTING A FAIR TRIAL" SAYS STUC
Speaking to a meeting of trade union officials in the STUC Centre this morning, STUC General Secretary, Bill Speirs, said:
"We are waiting to hear what Tony Blair has got out of President Bush in relation to the British subjects being held by the US military at their base in Cuba.
"But last night's statement by Bush, in which he declared - as Tony Blair stood at his side - that all the prisoners, without exception, are "bad people", makes it clear that they don't have a cat in hell's chance of getting a fair trial under American jurisdiction.
"Bush's comments are particularly outrageous given that he has a criminal record himself, for endangering life through drunk-driving.
"Our Prime Minister must stand firm on this. If the British prisoners are not returned to the UK to face the British judicial system, then all co-operation with the US must cease. It is as serious as that.
"These men may be guilty of terrorist acts against civilians, in which case they should be punished but only after a trial which is both fair, and seen to be fair. If we do not have such a trial, innocent men may die and guilty men will be walking free."
ENDS
For further information, contact: Bill Speirs