As the end of the transition period for the UK and the EU grows closer and still no deal agreed, there is a chance that from the 31st of December 2020 Britain will no longer be part of the European Arrest Warrant which ensures legislation is there to arrest criminals throughout all member states of the EU.
If a deal is not agreed by the UK and the EU in time, there is also a risk that UK will no longer have access to the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) database and Schengen Information System. These are all vital agreements between countries that help keep Londoners safe.
The London Assembly has today agreed for the Chair of the London Assembly to write to the Home Secretary and call upon the Government to either reach an agreement with the European Union to maintain the current level of security cooperation, or provide urgent reassurance that adequate contingency measures are in place should an agreement not be reached.
Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion said:
“We cannot afford to play games when it comes to the safety of Londoners. The time has come for the Government to act to ensure we continue the security arrangements we have with EU member states.
“This is bigger than politics, this is about ensuring the UK remains a country where it is safe to live and visit. The consequences of us leaving the EU without agreeing to continue with these arrangements are unthinkable, but that’s where we’re headed if those leading the negotiations don’t pursue this agreement with all the vigour it necessitates.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly notes the importance of current security arrangements with European Union members states, and the role that the European Arrest Warrant, ECRIS database, Schengen Information System and other tools that we stand set to lose on 31 December 2020, play in keeping Londoners safe.
This Assembly further notes that the Government risks jeopardising Londoners’ safety if it does not reach an agreement with the European Union by 31 December 2020 to maintain access to these tools. This Assembly asks the Chair to write to the Home Secretary and call upon the Government to either reach an agreement with the European Union to maintain the current level of security cooperation, or provide urgent reassurance that adequate contingency measures are in place should an agreement not be reached.”
Notes to editors:
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed 15 votes for and 6 against.
- Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Aoife Nolan on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.