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Tory Eurosceptics on edge as David Cameron plans EU opt-ins Tory Eurosceptics on edge as David Cameron plans EU opt-ins
(4 months later)
David Cameron is to risk a fresh row with Tory Eurosceptics by signing up to nearly a third of a series of European policing and criminal justice measures that have been heavily criticised by backbenchers campaigning to curb the EU.David Cameron is to risk a fresh row with Tory Eurosceptics by signing up to nearly a third of a series of European policing and criminal justice measures that have been heavily criticised by backbenchers campaigning to curb the EU.
The prime minister, who said earlier this week that membership of the EU gives the UK a seat at the world's "top table", is expected to opt in to 30-40 of the measures following warnings of a threat to security if Britain fails to sign up.The prime minister, who said earlier this week that membership of the EU gives the UK a seat at the world's "top table", is expected to opt in to 30-40 of the measures following warnings of a threat to security if Britain fails to sign up.
The decision by the Cameron, which has still to be finalised in negotiations between Danny Alexander and Oliver Letwin, will disappoint Eurosceptics who had hoped Britain would stand apart from most of the 130 measures.The decision by the Cameron, which has still to be finalised in negotiations between Danny Alexander and Oliver Letwin, will disappoint Eurosceptics who had hoped Britain would stand apart from most of the 130 measures.
Andrea Leadsom, the driving force behind the Fresh Start group of Eurosceptics, told the Guardian that Britain should sign side agreements with the EU.Andrea Leadsom, the driving force behind the Fresh Start group of Eurosceptics, told the Guardian that Britain should sign side agreements with the EU.
The signs of agreement between Tory and Liberal Democrat ministers came as Labour seeks to expose coalition divisions by tabling a Commons motion this afternoon calling on Britain to sign up to some of the key measures or risk threatening internal national security.The signs of agreement between Tory and Liberal Democrat ministers came as Labour seeks to expose coalition divisions by tabling a Commons motion this afternoon calling on Britain to sign up to some of the key measures or risk threatening internal national security.
These include the European arrest warrant and measures to share information with countries in the travel-free Schengen zone in Europe.These include the European arrest warrant and measures to share information with countries in the travel-free Schengen zone in Europe.
In a Guardian article, the shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper says European co-operation is vital as part of the fight against international crime such as human trafficking.In a Guardian article, the shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper says European co-operation is vital as part of the fight against international crime such as human trafficking.
Cooper writes: "Crime doesn't stop at the Channel. Criminals don't stay within national borders. There are an estimated 3,600 organised crime groups active across Europe, involved in drugs, human trafficking, online child exploitation and theft.Cooper writes: "Crime doesn't stop at the Channel. Criminals don't stay within national borders. There are an estimated 3,600 organised crime groups active across Europe, involved in drugs, human trafficking, online child exploitation and theft.
"Cross-border crime is likely to keep increasing whether we are in the European Union or outside it. That means the police need a clear framework for legal and effective co-operation across borders – and for ministers to ditch it is crazy.""Cross-border crime is likely to keep increasing whether we are in the European Union or outside it. That means the police need a clear framework for legal and effective co-operation across borders – and for ministers to ditch it is crazy."
Alexander and Letwin have been involved in lengthy negotiations as Britain seeks to exercise a right, negotiated by Tony Blair in the Lisbon treaty, to opt out of EU criminal justice measures.Alexander and Letwin have been involved in lengthy negotiations as Britain seeks to exercise a right, negotiated by Tony Blair in the Lisbon treaty, to opt out of EU criminal justice measures.
The coalition partners have agreed that Britain will opt out of all 130 measures – the step has to be taken even if Britain objects to just one of the measures.The coalition partners have agreed that Britain will opt out of all 130 measures – the step has to be taken even if Britain objects to just one of the measures.
The negotiations ran into trouble in recent months because the Tories want to opt back in to no more than 29 of the 130. This would allow Downing Street to say it has kept Britain out of 100. The Lib Dems, who had been pressing for Britain to opt back in to about 70 of the measures, recently settled on a figure of about 45.The negotiations ran into trouble in recent months because the Tories want to opt back in to no more than 29 of the 130. This would allow Downing Street to say it has kept Britain out of 100. The Lib Dems, who had been pressing for Britain to opt back in to about 70 of the measures, recently settled on a figure of about 45.
Ministers are planning to split the difference between 45 and 29, meaning the coalition will sign up to about 35 of the measures.Ministers are planning to split the difference between 45 and 29, meaning the coalition will sign up to about 35 of the measures.
These are expected to include the European arrest warrant, though Britain will press for a "proportionality" test to ensure British citizens cannot be deported to another EU state on relatively minor offences. Polish law, for example, imposes relatively long sentences on offences such as bicycle theft – meaning a UK citizen accused of such a crime could be deported to Poland.These are expected to include the European arrest warrant, though Britain will press for a "proportionality" test to ensure British citizens cannot be deported to another EU state on relatively minor offences. Polish law, for example, imposes relatively long sentences on offences such as bicycle theft – meaning a UK citizen accused of such a crime could be deported to Poland.
Cooper highlighted the importance of the European arrest warrant. The shadow home secretary writes in the Guardian: "For an 18 year old student, beaten until her eye socket shattered in an attempted rape in Ireland, the European Arrest Warrant helped get justice. Her attacker, Arunas Cervinskas, left Ireland for London, but was returned by the Met three weeks after his Arrest Warrant was issued and is now serving his sentence in an Irish prison."Cooper highlighted the importance of the European arrest warrant. The shadow home secretary writes in the Guardian: "For an 18 year old student, beaten until her eye socket shattered in an attempted rape in Ireland, the European Arrest Warrant helped get justice. Her attacker, Arunas Cervinskas, left Ireland for London, but was returned by the Met three weeks after his Arrest Warrant was issued and is now serving his sentence in an Irish prison."
One government source said: "Negotiations are ongoing. Progress is slow but steady. We are quietly confident we will reach a compromise in the end."One government source said: "Negotiations are ongoing. Progress is slow but steady. We are quietly confident we will reach a compromise in the end."
Anti-Slavery International and the anti-child exploitation group ECPAT UK have joined forces with Justice Across Borders to write to the home secretary Theresa May calling on her to opt back into the measures. In a letter they have written: "Human trafficking is on the rise. In 2011 alone, the UK Human Trafficking Centre identified over 2,000 potential victims of trafficking – the true figure is much higher. Bringing an end to this abhorrent trade in men, women and children is dependent on our ability to successfully pursue and convict those that engage in it. As this is a transnational crime, we rely on a series of Europe-wide tools to ensure that these people are put behind bars. If the UK government pushes ahead with this opt-out, we run the grave risk of losing access to them. This will seriously undermine the fight against human trafficking, a crime that the Government has indicated that it is committed to eradicating. Ultimately, an opt-out will leave many more people at risk of serious abuse and exploitation.Anti-Slavery International and the anti-child exploitation group ECPAT UK have joined forces with Justice Across Borders to write to the home secretary Theresa May calling on her to opt back into the measures. In a letter they have written: "Human trafficking is on the rise. In 2011 alone, the UK Human Trafficking Centre identified over 2,000 potential victims of trafficking – the true figure is much higher. Bringing an end to this abhorrent trade in men, women and children is dependent on our ability to successfully pursue and convict those that engage in it. As this is a transnational crime, we rely on a series of Europe-wide tools to ensure that these people are put behind bars. If the UK government pushes ahead with this opt-out, we run the grave risk of losing access to them. This will seriously undermine the fight against human trafficking, a crime that the Government has indicated that it is committed to eradicating. Ultimately, an opt-out will leave many more people at risk of serious abuse and exploitation.
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