Caroline,  who recently announced a legal challenge against the Government over its ‘targeted killing’ policy, has welcomed a parliamentary inquiry into the issue.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP, has today announced an inquiry into the UK Government’s policy on the use of drones for targeted killing. 

Lucas said:

“The announcement of this inquiry is welcome and couldn’t have come a moment too soon.

“As set out in the legal challenge to the Government taken by Baroness Jones and I, there has been a complete absence of parliamentary scrutiny or approval of the Government’s ‘kill policy’.  I’m glad our challenge has pushed this issue up the political agenda.

“This inquiry must urgently work to clarify the legal framework in which the UK is acting. In the meantime the Government should suspend its targeted kill policy.

“The evidence from the USA- where former heads of defence and others have called their secret use of drones a ‘failed strategy’ - makes clear the risks of so-called ‘targeted killings’.

“To be effective at countering terrorism we must ensure we act lawfully. It’s crucial that the UK’s actions to date and moving forward are subject to proper debate and scrutiny, particularly as its apparent new ‘Kill Policy’ goes beyond even what the US has been doing.”

ENDS

Details of Caroline Lucas’ legal challenge can be found here: http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/caroline-challenges-uk-government-on-drone-strikes

CONTACT: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904