EU home secretaries support new security treaty, says Rudd

AMBER Rudd has said her EU counterparts have signalled a new security treaty is possible.

The Home Secretary told MPs about the early indications she had received from her talks linked to the proposal, which seeks to ensure the UK continues its close relationship with the EU’s law enforcement agency and crime and safety measures.

SNP justice and home affairs spokeswoman Joanna Cherry had raised comments from Brussels’ chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who warned Britain will be cut out of decision-making on European defence as a result of Brexit - including Europol.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Rudd replied: “It is incredibly important we continue to have access to the systems that keep our people and our people in Europe safe.

“The best way to do that is to continue to have the sort of close relationship that we have with Europol and with other of the instruments, such as the European Arrest Warrant.

“That’s why we proposed a third-party treaty, which we hope can dock in to the EU.

“We’ve been continuing to work with European Union countries and make sure we keep their people safe and our people safe, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to arrive at such an agreement.

“Early indications in my conversations with other home secretaries across Europe are we can do that, and I would say respectfully, Monsieur Barnier, that I disagree with his interpretation that the UK is stepping away in any way from keeping Europe safe.

“We remain just as committed to making sure we keep Europe safe and that reflects our view from the Home Office point of view and also from the Government’s point of view.”