MEP calls for UK opt-in to EU anti-trafficking directive

The prime minister's resolve to have as little to do with the European Union as possible has put the government into an awkward position on this Anti-Slavery Day. Sarah Ludford MEP urges the UK government to mark the day's importance by announcing soon its intention to opt in to the EU anti-trafficking directive.

She says: "This reinforced EU law will strengthen our own anti-trafficking legislation and good practice, help to combat modern-day slavery across Europe and put trafficking gangs behind bars.

"Let's keep up Britain's 200-year-old record of upholding human rights and ending human sexual and labour exploitation by extending our leadership to international cooperation. I believe that participation in the EU Directive would amply fulfil the coalition government test for European 'opt-ins'."