US senate ratifies extradition treaty for UK

LONDON, Sep 30 (Reuters) he United States senate today ratified a new extradition treaty with Britain originally negotiated in 2003, the US embassy in London said.

The treaty, already ratified by Britain, was put under the spotlight this summer after three former British bankers were extradited to the United States under its terms even though Washington had yet to approve it.

Britain has been pressing the United States to agree the treaty and a Foreign Office spokesman said the senate's ratification was ''positive''.

British Home (Interior) Secretary John Reid said he was delighted that discussions with his US counterparts over the past few months had succeeded.

''The treaty is an important measure in our fight against serious international crime,'' he said.

REUTERS SHB KN1935