Rail police’s merger with single force set for U-turn
‘Putting dogma ahead of safety’
PLANS to merge British Transport Police with Scotland’s single force are being reviewed – and could be scrapped.
Ministers have confirmed a ‘replanning’ exercise is looking at changes to address the concerns of staff, trade unions and police bosses.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf is expected to announce proposals within weeks which could stop short of a full merger.
He is understood to be considering an alternative approach which would still see BTP become directly accountable to the Scottish Government and Holyrood but would not include its operations being absorbed into Police Scotland.
Any decision to axe the full merger will be one of the biggest U-turns since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister.
Last night, opponents urged Mr Yousaf to confirm that he will scrap the plans.
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Daniel Johnson and transport spokesman Colin Smyth have written a joint letter calling for Mr Yousaf to consider proposals by the BTP Federation for a ‘commissioned service’ model.
This would allow closer working with police and make the organisation accountable to the Scottish parliament – but would not include the operational or financial risks of a full merger and would not result in the loss of specialist railway policing staff.
Mr Johnson said: ‘Labour has consistently opposed this merger as it is unwanted, unnecessary and uncosted.
‘I hope reports are correct that Humza Yousaf is finally listening to Labour, police officers and railway workers and looking for an alternative.
‘There is already one on the table, brought forward by the British Transport Police Federation.’
He added: ‘I am clear that Labour will stand against any changes which will negatively impact on police officers’ terms, conditions and benefits.’
The merger was due to happen next April but ministers announced earlier this year it had been delayed due to IT issues and staff terms and conditions.
The Scottish Government has promised to update parliament on the next steps when MSPs return from the summer recess next month.
New Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone is among those understood to oppose the merger. He told MSPs of some of his concerns when he appeared in front of Holyrood’s justice committee in January. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘This is a welcome sign and suggests the SNP Government is finally willing to listen to common sense on this matter.
‘The merger plans are deeply unpopular and opposed by officers, unions, train operating companies and passenger groups.
‘The SNP Government now needs to make clear exactly what it intends to do. For the last two years it has arrogantly stuck to the line that this is going ahead come hell or high water.’
Last month, the merger plans were criticised by rail unions.
General secretary of the RMT Mick Cash warned it would ‘jeopardise’ the specialist policing delivered by the BTP, while TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said ministers were ‘putting Nationalist dogma ahead of the safety and well-being of rail passengers’.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Devolution of BTP was recommended by the Smith Commission, reached through crossparty agreement. Integration will also ensure railway policing is fully accountable to the Scottish parliament.’
He added: ‘There is a replanning exercise currently taking place. Once that is completed, we will ensure parliament is updated on our next steps. We will never compromise the safety of the public.’