EU approves proposal to try Britons in their absence in foreign courts

British citizens could be convicted in their absence by foreign courts for traffic, credit card or other criminal offences under plans approved in principle by the European Parliament, according to The Times.

The article continues:

The proposals would allow citizens to be extradited automatically under fast-track procedures at the request of another European Union country on the basis of a decision by the foreign court.

The overwhelming adoption by the Parliament of the proposals, which now go to the Council of Ministers, was condemned yesterday as "throwing habeas corpus out of the window".

The new proposal has led some to draw comparisons with the case of Gary McKinnon as another example of the erosion of our liberties.