Threat to terror co-operation if UK quits human rights convention

BRUSSELS stirred tensions with Britain yesterday by warning that Europe-wide co-operation against crime and terrorism will end if the UK tries to drop the European Convention on Human Rights.

Michel Barnier, the European Union’s chief negotiator, said any agreement on vital security issues would be subject to a ‘guillotine clause’ aimed at keeping the UK tied to the pact – even though it is not governed by the EU.

The move will particularly anger Theresa May who has been a vocal critic of the convention and has suggested that the UK could leave it one day. She has argued that the convention – which is enforced by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg – has unfairly placed restrictions on UK courts. She grew frustrated with these during her spell as Home Secretary during her attempts – which eventually took eight years – to extradite hate preacher Abu Qatada to Jordan to face terrorism charges.

The PM has insisted that future co-operation between the UK and the EU on issues such as crime and anti-terrorism should be unconditional, and that without it the security of the entire EU at risk. ÷The EU was also accused of blocking airline regulators from discussing emergency plans in the event of a no deal. The European Commission is said to have banned the European Aviation Safety Agency from discussing issues with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority – raising fears of flights being grounded in the immediate aftermath of Brexit.