The Home Secretary has decided that he will not order Róisín McAliskey's return to Germany because he considers that the medical evidence in her case would make extradition unjust or oppressive.

Under the Extradition Act, 1988, the Home Secretary must refuse extradition if, having regard to all the circumstances, it would be unjust or oppressive. (He has previously taken a similar decision on medical grounds in respect of an extradition request from the United States.)

The German government had requested Ms McAliskey's return to stand trial for offences relating to the bombing of Osnabruck barracks in June 1996.

The Home Secretary has explained his decision to the German government. It does not reflect in any way on the fairness of the German legal system or on the quality of the extradition request. The UK enjoys excellent working relationships with Germany in the field of extradition and international co-operation against terrorism.