- Sadiq Khan sets out six ‘red lines’ to ensure the UK can continue vital EU collaboration on security and counter-terrorism post-Brexit
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today set out six 'red lines' which are crucial for continued cooperation on security and counter-terrorism with European partners and which must be held to in Brexit negotiations in order to keep the British public safe.
Londoners’ security is Sadiq Khan’s first priority and, at a time of rising crime and unprecedented threat following four terrorist attacks in the capital this year, he is increasingly concerned that Brexit talks are putting some of the most vital tools for protecting the British public – such as the European Arrest Warrant, Europol, and EU Passenger Name Records - at serious risk.
The threats we face are increasingly international. Tackling terrorism, weapons and drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigration, modern slavery, and serious organised crime requires seamless cooperation and joint working across European borders. The Mayor is clear that no deal on these complex security issues is simply not an option. Neither are the ‘back-stop’ options mooted by the Home Secretary earlier this week* as she highlighted her concerns on this issue. No deal would seriously compromise public safety.
Speaking at the London Assembly’s EU Exit Working Group, the Mayor called on the Brexit Secretary, David Davis, to provide clarity and regular updates on six resources which are vital to public security:
1. The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) – enables vital intelligence sharing to help combat serious crimes including: illicit drugs; trafficking in human beings; illegal immigration; fraud, money laundering and asset tracing; mobile organised crime groups and terrorism.
2. The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) - enables the extradition of individuals between Member States to stand trial or serve a sentence. Losing the EAW would make it harder to bring suspects back to the UK to face justice.
3. The Schengen Information System II (SISII) – provides real-time alerts between countries to share information on people and property, and was consulted 3.9bn times in 2016 alone by Member States and Associated Countries.
4. EU Passenger Name Records - the name, date of birth, nationality and passport number of passengers are screened by the UK Border Agency against watch-lists to allow early identification of persons of known interest for security, immigration, customs or law enforcement purposes. This makes is far harder for organised criminals and terrorists to hide their movements.
5. European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) – allows the UK access to criminal records throughout the EU, critical in making speedy decisions and understanding how great a risk certain individuals represent.
6. The Prüm arrangements - enables instant access to DNA profiles, fingerprint data and vehicle registration data.
It is essential that the UK maintains and strengthens this collaboration as Britain leaves the EU, and the Mayor is clear that this must be a top priority for the government in the Brexit negotiations. This is a view shared by Britain’s security experts.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The safety and protection of our capital city is my number-one priority – and the threat to London is becoming more international than ever.
“Measures like Europol, the European Arrest Warrant and EU Passenger Name Records have played a huge part in helping our hard-working police and security services foil many plots.
“They also help to stop criminals passing from border to border and disrupt serious organised crime, as well as the trafficking of deadly weapons.
“That is why today I have set out six ‘red lines’ that must be held to in Brexit negotiations in order to keep the British public safe, and ministers must urgently confirm that UK security is at the forefront of Brexit negotiations.
“No deal on these complex security issues is simply not an option.”
Nationally police and the security services are running well over 500 live operations. Seven plots have been foiled across the country in the last seven months and security services currently have 3,000 open "subjects of interest”. These measures are central to helping London’s police and security services investigate and foil future attacks.
The need for Brexit negotiations to ensure our work with European security agencies continues was among the key recommendations made by Lord Toby Harris in his significant and wide-ranging review, commissioned by the Mayor, into what could be done to improve London’s resources and readiness to respond to a major terrorist incident.
Notes to editors
* Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday that she is exploring ‘back-stop’ options in case there is no Brexit deal.