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Andrew

PRESS RELEASE Embargo: Tuesday 29 October 2002

BRITISH BOOST FOR EU FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Following today's meeting of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff has welcomed the British government's decision to accept in principle that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights should become binding on the European Union and its member states in so far as they carry out EU law and policy.

Andrew Duff, who is the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Charter, said: "I congratulate the British government on changing its mind about the need for a mandatory Charter. We have worked long and hard to reach a wider consensus how to protect the citizen from any abuse by the European Union of its growing powers.

"Peter Hain's statement this morning is a great step forward for British European policy. The Charter will now be the jewel in the crown of Europe's new constitution."

ENDS/...

Contact: Andrew Duff on +44 7703 471 659 or Guillaume McLaughlin on +32 478 201 299.

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Andrew's work
in the European Parliament since 1999

Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.

Rights for EU citizens

Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.

Turkey

Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.

Andrew's campaigning in the East of England

Airport Expansion

Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be subjected to the same rigorous environmental criteria as other modes of transport