Press
cuttings
26/01/2012 - Cameron in the court of public opinion over EU Human rights
William Dartmouth, the UK Independence Party MEP for the South West,
today criticised Prime Minister David Cameron's speech in Strasbourg on
the European Court of Human Rights.
Lord Dartmouth said," In his election manifesto the Prime Minister
promised to replace this court with a British Bill of Rights. This was
warmly welcomed by many as British justice has for centuries been the
envy of the world. Indeed many countries draw up contracts based on
English Common Law.
"The European Court of Human Rights bases itself on the often inferior
justice systems of Continental justice which all too often ignores the
rights and responsibilities of the individual. Yet this court is somehow
allowed to prevail over British Courts“ added Lord Dartmouth.
"All we heard from Mr Cameron in Strasbourg was bluster. He knows that
so long as we remain in the European Union we must be a member of this
Court.
"What we need is a Prime Minister that defends the rights of our justice
system and the sovereignty of our Parliament. Westminster voted
overwhelmingly to continue to deny prisoners the right to vote. This put
us in direct conflict with the ECHR and it is a fight we will not win
while a member of the EU.
"This court has overturned the British courts in a stream of judgements
that has seen convicted terrorists, rapists and drug dealers allowed to
stay in Britain.
""It was not bluster we needed from Mr Cameron “added Lord Dartmouth,"
It was a statement that British law and the sovereignty of the UK would
be paramount".
13/01/2012 - "Turkish threats to the Duchess of York - Cameron's coalition needs to stop supporting Turkish EU membership"
"The
Duchess of York has done
Trojan work exposing the inhuman conditions of Turkish orphanages
for which we should all be thankful.
In response to her exposé the Turkish state has disgracefully threatened
her with jail.
Given Turkey's disgraceful human rights record, its continued occupation
of Cyprus with 40,000 troop and its current threat to the Duchess of
York it is now time for Mr Cameron as well as leaders of the Labour and
LibDem parties to halt their fervent support for Turkish membership of
the EU.
It has been suggested that the Duchess is unlikely to be extradited as
the offense is not a crime under British law.
However, if Turkey was today a member of the European Union the Duchess
would be subject to the European Arrest Warrant. In which case there
would be no legal process of extradition and the Duchess would be carted
off to a Turkish jail - there to languish possibly for 2 years or more
before trial. If the three party leaders do not want a rerun of the 1978
film Midnight Express about a person's treatment in a Turkish prison
they must, like UKIP, say no to Turkish accession to the European
Union."
31/08/2011 - "A grubby EU trade and fisheries deal for Western Sahara
The
EU Commission is pushing for a trade and fisheries deal with Morocco
that "would exploit the natural resources and ignore the rights of the
people of Western Sahara", UKIP MEP William Dartmouth has said.
Speaking after a debate at the Fisheries Committee today, he added: "The
EU wants to trash the fishing grounds of the Western Sahara just as they
have trashed those of the South West. This is completely unacceptable."
A member of the international trade committee, MEP Dartmouth called for
a rejection of the trade deal.
"This trade deal is so bad that the legal service of the European
Parliament has described it as 'a violation of the permanent sovereignty
of the people of Western Sahara over their natural resources' as well as
being contrary to International Law," Dartmouth added.
"It is disgusting that the EU is trashing the fishing grounds of Western
Sahara. I am shocked that the UK Government would consent to this formal
EU fisheries agreement. This is all very grubby indeed."
Information for editors:
"Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of a Protocol setting
out the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in
the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the
Kingdom of Morocco (PDF)
"DRAFT OPINION of the Committee on Fisheries for the Committee on
International Trade on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of
an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European
Union and the Kingdom of Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation
measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish
and fishery products, the
replacement of Protocols 1, 2 and 3 and their Annexes and amendments to
the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the
European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the
Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part. (PDF)
25/06/2011 - Outrage as Tory MP calls for Ukrainian membership of the EU
Dorset Tory MP, Robert Walters has today called for Ukrainian
membership of the European Union. He said, "The need for deepening and
developing the relationship with Ukraine is natural and needs to be
conducted in line with future EU membership of the country."
William Dartmouth MEP, who represents Dorset in the European Parliament
for UKIP said,
"Today we are told Croatia is to join the EU, that is another 4.5
million people will have free access to the UK, but not content with
that Bob Walters is now calling for a further 45 million to have the
chance. It is well known that Ukraine has porous borders with Russia and
any move of this sort would be seen as an aggressive act."
"I find it amazing that in the midst of a financial crisis, and with
mass migration to the UK already a serious problem this so called
Conservative could even be contemplating such a foolhardy move. I only
hope that he is shooting his mouth off and has no support from the
Foreign Office or Number 10."
"We should trade with Ukraine, just as we should trade with the whole
world, but we should not be encouraging them to join the EU", said
Dartmouth.
"I challenge Mr. Walters to a debate on this daft idea anywhere in his
constituency."
11/06/2011 - Knighting a republican is an affront to Her Majesty
"The award of a knighthood to Graham Watson, the sponsor of the
European Arrest Warrant, serves to underline all that is wrong with the
honours system, in respect of establishment politics".
"For such a person, who is primarily responsible for countless sleepless
nights, suffered by British subjects in foreign prison cells, and their
relatives, such a reward is, in my humble opinion, an affront."
"Furthermore, I find it hypocritical that Sir Graham, as he now is, an
avowed anti-monarchist, and leading light in the campaign pressure group
Republic, should accept this award in, what is, after all, Her Majesty's
Birthday Honours list."
8/06/2011 - William's statement on David Bannermans defection
"David Campbell-Bannerman in defecting to the Conservatives has
broken the trust of those who voted for him as a UKIP MEP.
That is why I call on David Campbell-Bannerman, who I have known as a
man of honour, to resign as an MEP.
When David was chosen as a UKIP MEP candidate, he signed a pledge that
he would “remain a member of UKIP for the full 5-year term or otherwise
retire from the Parliament”. He has broken that promise, just as David
Cameron and the others broke their promise to allow Britain a referendum
on the Lisbon Treaty.
Mr Campbell-Bannerman must know that the Conservative/Lib Dem Coalition
has supported the EU Federalist project. They have voted for and
supported EU regulation of the City and Financial Services, EU diplomats
and now they want votes for prisoners and the rest."
9/03/2011 - Fiddling while Rome Burns
A South West MEP today condemned the debate of control orders for
terrorists by British politicians as "fiddling while Rome burns"
William Dartmouth, who represents the UK Independence Party, said that
while all three main political parties were obsessing with the control
orders , which can only be enforced on a maximum of fifteen suspects at
a time, they were ignoring the European Arrest Warrant by means of which
almost sixty million UK residents were at risk of being carted off to
foreign prisons for months or even years without facing trail.
"Our democracy is based on the pillars of the rule of law, due process,
the presumption of innocence and open justice, "said Lord Dartmouth."I
believe that not one suspected terrorist could have inflicted more
damage to these four pillars that the European Union itself.
We not only have the deeply flawed European Arrest Warrant but the
European Investigation Order which forces British Police to carry out
investigations into matters which very often are not crimes in the UK.
This involves our Police having to hand over fingerprints and DNA
samples, intercept post and e-mails as well as bank records," he said.
"The European Union is moving steadily towards a unified police force
while we must also accept their Data Retention Directive which compels
telecommunications companies to retain details of all e mails and phone
calls. In short there is not a single aspect of our lives that the EU
does not wish to fully control".
Lord Dartmouth added," All three main UK parties are now coming to the
point where they accept control orders are so full of loopholes that
they have become unenforceable. Perhaps they could now work towards the
more serious problem of fighting to restore our traditions of British
justice and fair play from the grasp of unelected bureaucrats in
Brussels
15/02/2011 - The priorities are wrong
The Prime Minister's refusal to contest the European Court of Human
Rights ruling that forces Britain to allow serving prisoners to vote was
today condemned by a UKIP MEP.
William Dartmouth, who represents the South West, said, "Only in the mad
world of the EU would we find a proud and sovereign nation compelled to
give the vote to convicted rapists and murderers.
"The right to vote is not a human right it is a Civil Right - that is
the British tradition" he added.
"The majority of the British public are scandalised at the thought of
giving prisoners the vote and yet all our government can do is wring its
hands and admit they are powerless to prevent it, "said Mr Dartmouth.
"This government has also learned it is powerless to halt the infliction
of the European Arrest Warrant on British Residents. This Warrant gives
all EU member states the power to have a British citizens arrested on
flimsy evidence for them to be carted off to rot in foreign prisons for
months or even years without trial", added Mr Dartmouth.
"It seems that this Coalition Government cares more for the rights of
convicted prisoners than it does for British citizens.
10/01/2011 - Control orders ignore the real problem
A South West MEP today slammed British politicians for being obsessed
with control orders which can only affect 15 suspected terrorists at a
time.
William Dartmouth of the UK Independence Party said today 'They were
turning a blind eye to the European Arrest Warrant which puts 60 million
UK citizens at risk of being carted off to foreign prisons for months or
years without trial.
Lord Dartmouth said 'the three main parties were ignoring the fact that
the EAW was the real threat to a system of democracy that had endured
for centuries'.
'Our justice system stands on the four pillars of due process,
presumption of innocence, the rule of law and openness' said Lord
Dartmouth. 'Not a single suspected terrorist could have inflicted more
damage to those pillars than the European belief in this warrant which
is totally at odds with British tradition.
Not only do we have to endure this deeply flawed warrant but also face a
wave of legislation which will force our police to investigate matters
which may not even be crimes in the UK. Telecommunication companies are
being ordered to retain records of our phone calls and emails and if
that were not enough, the EU is steadily working towards a unified
police force' he added.
'All three main parties now accept that control orders are so full of
loop holes they have become unenforceable. Perhaps they could now turn
their minds to fighting to the suspension of this appalling warrant and
to restoring our traditions of justice and fair play from the grasp of
unelected bureaucrats in Brussels'.
30/06/2010 - Prince Charles is right to intervene over Chelsea Barracks development
The UKIP MEP for the South West has strongly defended the Prince of Wales
today from the storm of criticism over his intervention in the planning row
over the development of the Chelsea Barracks site in London.
Lord Dartmouth said that the Prince could point to the redevelopment of
Poundbury as the way to preserve the traditions and looks of an area.
"What this country needs from its planners and architects is more
sympathetic developments in the Poundbury style and much less of the almost
brutal style of many modern architects "said Lord Dartmouth.
"I believe that Prince Charles was right to raise his concerns and I commend
his bravery. Perhaps more people should raise their voices to protest against
eyesores masquerading as progress.
Perhaps more planners should come to Dorset and take a look at Poundbury to
see what can be achieved." he said.
"I applaud the Prince for his bravery and am delighted that his intervention
seems to have won the day.
What this country needs is rather more thinkers like Prince Charles and
rather fewer architects like Lord Rogers".
8/03/2010 - Ministry of Defence has warped spending priorities.
The Ministry of Defence has come under fire for its warped sense of priorities in how it spends its multi-billion pound budget.
UKIP MEP Lord Dartmouth said it was only right that senior figures in the Armed Forces should question the financial support of Gordon Brown during his time as Chancellor.
"Gordon Browns evidence to the Chilcott Enquiry has been challenged by senior military figures", said Lord Dartmouth, "but it is only fair to point out that the Ministry of Defence must answer for its weird and warped sense of priorities on how it has allocated its funding.
In 2007 it was revealed that the MOD had spend £2.35 billion on a lavish refurbishment of their Whitehall offices.
This money could have been spent on providing nearly 2,500 armoured vehicles which would almost certainly prevented loss of life and severe injuries caused by roadside bombs "
Lord Dartmouth added, "This £2.35 billion included more than £3million spent on custom made oak doors and an equal amount on ensuring their staff sat on ergonomic chairs
"The taxpayers money spent on their own comforts instead of the required equipment for front line troops makes you wonder how they see their responsibilities.
Gordon Brown may or may not have been guilty of cutting funding to our armed services at a time they were desperately needed.
What is not in doubt however is that the MOD spent a vast amount of money on its own office and not in vitally needed front line equipment
24/11/2009 - Asking the Hungarian authorities for a speedy resolution for the 'Budapest Two'.
Today two British men Michael Turner and Jason McGoldrick, are locked in a prison cell in Budapest for 23 hours a day.
We are here to ask Her Excellency, the Hungarian Ambassador Ms. Czako politely, for that is the British way, to ask her government to release these two men.
Failing this we ask her to use her best efforts to ensure that this case comes speedily to trial.
We also ask her to improve the conditions under which they are being held. That includes provision being made for them to have full contact with their families and their legal representatives.
Michael and Jason are imprisoned through a mechanism called the European Arrest Warrant. This was introduced, or so we were told at the time, to help fight terrorism and serious crime.
This is NOT the situation with Michael and Jason. All they are guilty of is of setting up a business venture in Hungary which sadly failed. They lost their own savings of £100,000 and left further debts of around £18,000.
It would appear that in this case the European Arrest Warrant has been grossly misused. For the record the UK Independence Party fought long and hard against the European Arrest Warrant coming into force in the UK - even though the three Big parties supported it.
But this is not a day for politics or political speeches.
Our focus MUST be on the release of Michael and Jason. When that happens, we must re-examine the whole concept of the European arrest Warrant. Otherwise and unfortunately there are likely to be yet more cases like this one.
03/11/2009 - Conned by the Mod Cons - How the Tories duped the electorate.
“In May, immediately before the European Elections David Cameron promised in a letter sent to me and several hundred thousand other people that the Conservatives would definitely hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
He has now cynically broken that promise. This demonstrates yet again that the Conservative Party cannot be trusted on the EU and probably not on anything else either.
Is this what Cameron’s Conservatives mean by the ‘New Politics’?” - William Dartmouth SW UKIP MEP
18/09/2009 - Two faced Tories vote for "the integration of Europe".
The Conservative MEPs and their Group have voted in favour of a second 5 year term for Senhor José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission.
In his acceptance speech Senhor Barroso said that he was "...committed to the exciting journey that is the integration of Europe...."
William Dartmouth said "Yet again the Conservative Party in Britain makes eurosceptic noises at Election time, but when they get to the European Parliament, Conservative MEPs continue to vote for a European superstate." Read Barroso's acceptance speech here where he thanks the European Peoples' Party for their support and those who want to "see the European project succeed".
16/09/2009 - William Dartmouth UKIP MEP says "Let them wait".
In an open letter to Václav Klaus, the President of the Czech republic, William Dartmouth MEP has asked the President to delay ratifying the Lisbon treaty until the UK gets a new government, paving the way for a UK referendum on the Lisbon treaty. He said "the 3 established parties secretly want the Lisbon Treaty to go through "on the nod" before the UK General Election. This is to avoid the inconvenience of British voters having to be asked their views on a European superstate.