Air Marshals must be based on evidence not hunch

3.00.00am GMT Mon 11th Feb 2008

Responding to the Home Secretary's remarks that she is considering a request from the US Government for air marshals on flights from the UK, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The decision on whether to introduce armed air marshals on all flights from Europe to the US should be based on passenger safety requirements, not strong-arm tactics by the American government.

"If we're going to have guns on planes it should be because new evidence tells us they are required and their benefits outweigh their dangers, not to satisfy the demands of a partner in an increasingly one-sided security relationship."