Confidential data agreement rejected

In an historic vote, the European Parliament today (Thursday 11 February) rejected an agreement between EU governments and the USA that has allowed confidential data about British citizens to be handed over to the American authorities.

SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, facilitates trillions of dollars in financial transactions across the world each day.

Until now a temporary agreement between the EU and the USA meant that the US Government had access to SWIFT records.

The US has claimed a need to monitor terrorism financial transactions but other legal routes are available where terrorism is suspected.

MEPs claim that they had used the new powers they gained under the Lisbon Treaty to strike a blow for freedom.

North West Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Chris Davies condemned European governments for bowing to pressure from the USA in making the arrangement.

He said: "This is a one-sided deal, with data about European citizens being given to Americans while we do not get the same in return. If Barack Obama were to put the same proposal to the US Congress it would be rejected immediately.

"This action by MEPs shows that anyone who still thinks that the European Parliament has no real power to stand up for individual rights had better think again."