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Theresa May to pull UK out of Europol despite Madeleine McCann leads Theresa May to pull UK out of Europol despite Madeleine McCann leads
(2 months later)
The home secretary, Theresa May, is expected to ignore private warnings from senior police officers and abandon the UK's membership of a European cross-border crime agency which is advising the government on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.The home secretary, Theresa May, is expected to ignore private warnings from senior police officers and abandon the UK's membership of a European cross-border crime agency which is advising the government on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
The Tory cabinet minister plans to announce this week her decision to snub a reformed Europol, to which the UK has belonged since 1999.The Tory cabinet minister plans to announce this week her decision to snub a reformed Europol, to which the UK has belonged since 1999.
The UK will continue to have membership until 2015 but May has decided not to commit to rejoining after this date when Europol will be given greater powers. The decision has been made despite behind the scenes pressure being applied by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and Europol's British director, Rob Wainwright, in favour of membership. The Observer understands that Acpo wrote to May last month to ask her to reconsider her decision before the planned announcement.The UK will continue to have membership until 2015 but May has decided not to commit to rejoining after this date when Europol will be given greater powers. The decision has been made despite behind the scenes pressure being applied by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and Europol's British director, Rob Wainwright, in favour of membership. The Observer understands that Acpo wrote to May last month to ask her to reconsider her decision before the planned announcement.
May's position is regarded by some of those familiar with negotiations as particularly irrational given Europol's role in the case of Madeleine McCann, the child who went missing from her parent's holiday apartment in Portugal six years ago.May's position is regarded by some of those familiar with negotiations as particularly irrational given Europol's role in the case of Madeleine McCann, the child who went missing from her parent's holiday apartment in Portugal six years ago.
It is understood Wainwright has been personally involved in advising ministers on how best to co-operate with the Portuguese authorities, an issue which has previously bedevilled progress on the case.It is understood Wainwright has been personally involved in advising ministers on how best to co-operate with the Portuguese authorities, an issue which has previously bedevilled progress on the case.
Last week Scotland Yard announced that it had "new evidence and new witnesses" in the case and had opened a formal investigation. Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said it still believed there was a chance Madeleine was alive and his officers were now investigating 38 "persons of interest", including 12 in the UK, after reviewing the evidence with the assistance of the Portuguese.Last week Scotland Yard announced that it had "new evidence and new witnesses" in the case and had opened a formal investigation. Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said it still believed there was a chance Madeleine was alive and his officers were now investigating 38 "persons of interest", including 12 in the UK, after reviewing the evidence with the assistance of the Portuguese.
Europol was formed to assist in the sharing and pooling of intelligence to prevent and combat serious international organized crime. One of its greatest triumphs was Operation Rescue, launched in 2010, which led to the identification of what is believed to have been the world's largest online child sex abuse network, leading the identification of 240 suspects and 60 victims.Europol was formed to assist in the sharing and pooling of intelligence to prevent and combat serious international organized crime. One of its greatest triumphs was Operation Rescue, launched in 2010, which led to the identification of what is believed to have been the world's largest online child sex abuse network, leading the identification of 240 suspects and 60 victims.
However as major crime has become increasingly cross-border in nature, Europol has sought to enhance its ability to collect data from nation states, among other measures, causing concern in Whitehall.However as major crime has become increasingly cross-border in nature, Europol has sought to enhance its ability to collect data from nation states, among other measures, causing concern in Whitehall.
Thais Portilho-Shrimpton, director of pressure group Justice Across Borders, said by not committing to membership now the UK would not be able to play a role in shaping the organisation when it is relaunched in 2015.Thais Portilho-Shrimpton, director of pressure group Justice Across Borders, said by not committing to membership now the UK would not be able to play a role in shaping the organisation when it is relaunched in 2015.
She said "It's hypocritical of Theresa May to ask Europol for support and advice to carry out an investigation, while effectively making a decision to abandon it.She said "It's hypocritical of Theresa May to ask Europol for support and advice to carry out an investigation, while effectively making a decision to abandon it.
"This decision sends out the wrong message to our EU partners and the rest of the world about our seriousness to co-operate in the fight against international serious and organised crime and terrorism.""This decision sends out the wrong message to our EU partners and the rest of the world about our seriousness to co-operate in the fight against international serious and organised crime and terrorism."
Last month the Lords EU committee urged May to opt in to the regulation giving the UK membership of Eurpol in 2015. The committee's chairman, Lord Hannay of Chiswick, said: "While we agree with the government that some areas of the proposed regulation need to be clarified, we consider that the UK's continued participation in Europol is an important part of ensuring the safety and security of British citizens, and that these concerns will best be addressed in the forthcoming negotiations."Last month the Lords EU committee urged May to opt in to the regulation giving the UK membership of Eurpol in 2015. The committee's chairman, Lord Hannay of Chiswick, said: "While we agree with the government that some areas of the proposed regulation need to be clarified, we consider that the UK's continued participation in Europol is an important part of ensuring the safety and security of British citizens, and that these concerns will best be addressed in the forthcoming negotiations."
It is understood that May will say that the UK could reconsider its position in two years' time and announce its intention to rejoin then but that the government is not willing to commit at this stage. The Liberal Democrats oppose May's decision but the party is unable to push the home secretary into committing to rejoin Europol.It is understood that May will say that the UK could reconsider its position in two years' time and announce its intention to rejoin then but that the government is not willing to commit at this stage. The Liberal Democrats oppose May's decision but the party is unable to push the home secretary into committing to rejoin Europol.
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