Plans to merge railway police facing ‘two-year delay’ over safety fears
CONTROVERSIAL plans to merge Police Scotland and British Transport Police have been delayed for up to two years over public safety fears.
Officials yesterday confirmed that the integration will not go ahead in April 2019 as planned because of unresolved issues.
The Scottish Government has previously dismissed calls for the merger to be scrapped despite concerns over safety, IT projects and a possible ‘exodus’ of experienced staff.
Last night, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon faced further calls to scrap the ‘doomed’ plan, which Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson described as proof of the SNP’s ‘centralising obsession’.
Yesterday, the Joint Programme Board, set up to oversee the merger, raised a number of issues and claimed the integration could not meet the April 2019 deadline. Instead, it is understood that ‘replanning’ will take place over coming months, and the process could be pushed back by up to two years.
Only two weeks ago, Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the merger was set to go ahead on time – but he raised concerns over pensions, IT and officer contracts which were not due to be completed by the official date.
He claimed these could all be fixed following the merger. But, yesterday he said: ‘Over the last few months we have been assessing the feasibility of delivering integration by April 2019.
‘It has become clear to Police Scotland that there are unresolved issues which mean effective operational integration cannot be achieved by that date without compromising public safety.
‘Independent consultants have endorsed our position on this.
‘Planning for the integration of British Transport Police continues and we will be working closely with BTP, the rail industry and other partners over the coming months to determine a new date.’
Miss Davidson said: ‘The SNP have been insisting for months that the police merger was on track, despite all evidence to the contrary.
‘Centralising obsession’
Now we find even Nicola Sturgeon recognises this unnecessary and ideological move is doomed.
‘The BTP is a specialist force that operates UK-wide and shouldn’t be disrupted. BTP officers don’t want it and traveller safety should not be compromised by the SNP’s centralising obsession.
‘The Justice Secretary should use this pause to scrap the ill-thoughtout merger completely.’
In an unusual move, MPs will hold a debate in Westminster Hall on the merger in two weeks’ time. This is usually used to debate issues on reserved or UK issues, rather than devolved matters.
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Daniel Johnson said: ‘This delay reopens the debate about whether this foolish and misguided merger should go ahead at all, given the distinctive nature and requirements of policing our railways.’
A BTP spokesman said: ‘We remain committed to ensuring any proposed merger goes ahead as smoothly as possible for both our own staff and for rail passengers in Scotland.’
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘While a later integration date is disappointing, it will provide all partners with the opportunity to enhance the process of engagement – in particular with officers, staff and their representatives on key issues.
‘The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering on our triple lock guarantee to protect the jobs, pay and pensions of BTP officers transferring to Police Scotland.’