Labour Split in Three on EU Security Policy after John Reid Says He Will Keep UK Veto

Tuesday, 5 December 2006

Home Secretary John Reid's announcement yesterday that the UK will keep our justice and home affairs veto is news to the Foreign Secretary and Labour MEPs who voted last week to abandon the veto.

Conservative leader in the European Parliament, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, says Labour is in disarray over how to face EU demands for countries to abandon their control over police and security policy.

In the name of cross-border cooperation against terrorism and organised crime, the Commission has urged Westminster to cede power over drugs policy to the European Parliament, the Serious Fraud Office to cede power over anti-corruption investigations to Europol and the Police to cede power over criminal investigations to Eurojust and the European Court of Justice.

Timothy said:

"The Home Office says no, the Foreign Office says maybe and the Labour MEPs say yes. Policy on the veto is in utter confusion.

"Again and again, despite Mr Reid's bravura, the EU is trying to seize control of UK home affairs with the support of the Labour MEPs who said last week that 'we support any actions to improve the effectiveness of EU institutions...in the field of Justice and Home Affairs'*.

"Conservatives have been absolutely consistent on this matter. Harmonisation of home affairs is a flawed approach. It denies our police and security services the flexibility and adaptability they need to stay one step ahead of the terrorists. Cooperation between member states is the way forward."

ENDS

* Michael Cashman (PSE), Explanation of Vote for the Labour MEPs on the British justice and home affairs veto: "The British Socialist delegation (EPLP) voted in favour of the ... EP's resolution on the progress made in the EU towards the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ) (Articles 2 and 39 of the EU Treaty) because we support any actions to improve the transparency and effectiveness of the EU institutions and their capacity to deliver for our citizens in the field of Justice and Home Affairs."