‘Be realistic’ UK must face up to losing out on EU security after Brexit says Barnier
THE UK's access to shared security databases and cooperation on crime and terror could end after it leaves the bloc because "trust does not fall from the sky", Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said.
Mr Barnier has spoken out about the UK losing access to the EU’s pooled criminal intelligence database and being exclued from the European Arrest Warrant.
Inside the EU, the UK works with police forces throughout Europe and has access to thousands of databases about criminal suspects, missing people and other documents.
Speaking at the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna, Mr Barnier said: “We need more realism on what is and what is not possible.”
We need more realism on what is and what is not possible
He said the UK should not be given guaranteed access to criminal databases as they may not keep EU data protection rules after leaving the bloc.
If the European Arrest Warrant is not replaced by the UK, the country will return to the 1956 rules for extradition, which are very slow.
Mr Barnier said: “They seek to blame us into the consequences of their choice.
“We will not be drawn into this blame game. It will mean wasting time and we don’t have time.
“The UK's recent paper on security, law enforcement and criminal justice expresses a desire to keep the benefits of EU membership.
“This is understandable when you look at what we have achieved together as a Union in internal security.
“After Brexit, it is clear that we will need to cooperate strongly with the UK in these areas. But, we will need to cooperate on a different basis. That is a challenge in itself.”
The UK hopes to maintain close security links to the EU.
Mr Barnier warned the cooperation between the EU member states is based on trust which “does not fall from the sky”.
He said: “This trust is founded on an ‘ecosystem’ based on common rules and safeguards, shared decisions, joint supervision and implementation and a common Court of Justice.”
Tory MP: UK shouldn't get involved with all EU security matters
The UK gave vital information to break up terrorist operations in four European countries in the last year, according to the director of the surveillance agency GCHQ Jeremy Fleming.
Since 2004, the UK has detained more than 10,000 people under the European Arrest Warrant.
A report from the House of Lords last years said that leaving the EU risks undermining the police’s ability to fight crime.