Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has warned of the importance of maintaining close security co-operation between the United Kingdom and the European Union post-Brexit. The comments come after EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK could no longer participate in the European Arrest Warrant scheme once it leaves the European Union.
Jim Nicholson MEP said:
"Security co-operation benefits us all. Only today the head of GCHQ has revealed that the UK played a critical role in thwarting terror attacks in four other European countries in the past year.
"The European Arrest Warrant has been instrumental in stopping so-called dissident republican terrorists and other criminals from evading justice since coming into force in 2004. Effective policing of the border between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland has involved some of the closest police co-operation in the EU, and in recent times the European Arrest Warrant has played a significant role in achieving this.
“Maybe Brussels is trying to ratchet up tension ahead of the European Council summit later this month, but this is a step too far. To totally reject the UK Government’s pragmatic offer to maintain close security co-operation when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union is at best short sighted and at worst risks the safety of both UK and EU citizens.
“The European Commission should urgently reconsider its stance. The safety and security of innocent people, whether they are in states that are members of the EU or not, should never be used as a bargaining chip."