Police co-operation is a vital area for a reset with the EU
Brexit not only ended Britain's political and economic integration with the European Union; it also broke a myriad of cross-Channel links between institutions and government agencies that relied on a regular exchange of knowledge, research and help. Mending those broken threads and rejoining programmes vital to British interests has been one of the themes of Labour's proposal for a 'reset' of its relations with our former EU partners.
No programme has been as vital to Britain's security as access to the Schengen Information System and Europol. The first allowed police and immigration officials to tap into a vast database that provided intelligence on asylum seekers arriving in the UK. The second was the daily exchange of information by EU police forces, alerting each other to
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Murray hails ‘brilliant opportunities' of UK Government's industrial strategy
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the document on Monday, pinpointing key industries believed to have the most potential for growth such as artificial intelligence, offshore wind and batteries for electric vehicles. The 160-page document put Scotland 'at the heart of the UK's energy transition', as well as talking up commitments to a £750 million supercomputer in Edinburgh and £200 million in development funding for the Acorn carbon capture and storage facility in Aberdeenshire. The Prime Minister also announced a cut to electricity bills for industrial businesses, £30 million for the video games sector – with a number of high profile developers based in Scotland – and £30 million for research and development for each of the devolved nations. Delighted to be in Cockenzie, East Lothian for the launch of the UK Industrial Strategy today. Lots of brilliant opportunities for Scotland from the 8 growth sectors. Jobs, investment, regeneration and skills. — Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) June 23, 2025 In a post on X following a visit to the promote the strategy, the Scottish Secretary said: 'Delighted to be in Cockenzie, East Lothian, for the launch of the UK industrial strategy today. 'Lots of brilliant opportunities for Scotland from the eight growth sectors. 'Jobs, investment, regeneration and skills.' The strategy was also praised by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. 'Labour's industrial strategy delivers for Scotland – unlocking economic potential, raising wages, boosting living standards, and delivering the growth we need,' he said. Asked about his response to the UK Government's announcement on Monday, First Minister John Swinney touted his own Government's work on industry. 'Of course, we have in Scotland our own approach to industrial strategy, which involves working with our universities, with our economic development agencies to ensure that we attract investment and can support development within the economy,' he told the PA news agency. 'Last week, we saw that Scotland, for the 10th year in a row, was the most successful part of the United Kingdom for the attraction of inward investment other than London and the south east. 'So that's an indication that the Scottish Government's got its priorities correct, its focus correct on the attraction of investment, because we're contributing to make Scotland an incredibly successful investment location.'
Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
UK 'vulnerable to terrorism' as US attacks on Iran spark fresh wave of fears
Iran's covert network of spies and footsoldiers across the west and in Britain could launch a wave of terror attacks in response to America's air-strikes on Tehran's nuclear programme America's attack on Iran has triggered growing fears of a wave of terror hitting the UK as Iran-backed footsoldiers take deadly revenge. Britain is considered a prime target for terrorism by Iranian regime supporters and UK streets could see blood spilled by Tehran-sponsored attackers. It is believed both Lebanese Hezbollah and their Tehran sponsors the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could launch hits in the UK. Among their targets are jewish and Israeli targets but this could also switch to the general civilian public if ordered by Tehran. And in particular RAF bases and other military sites could also be targeted because they would get coverage and it would make the UK look vulnerable. The terror threat level to the UK is assessed by MI5 as being at 'substantial' and has been at that level for several years. Last year head of MI5 Ken McCallum confirmed in the past seven years his officers had smashed 43 'late stage' terror attacks. Some of those attackers were trying to obtain firearms and explosives. Most of these were from Islamist extremism from Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked groups. But he said state-sponsored terror had been on the rise. He said: 'We've seen plot after plot here in the UK at an unprecedented pace and scale.' And he said in the past year that his intelligence officers and counter-terror police had smashed a staggering 22 plots to 'British citizens and UK residents.' Most of these plotted attacks were attempts and plans to attack Iranian dissidents but this network of people willing to act on behalf of the Tehran regime still exists. Bruce Jones, a UK military and terrorism expert, told the Daily Mirror: 'The willingness from Tehran to launch attacks in the UK will definitely be on the increase. We are the junior partner to America and as such we are extremely vulnerable to terrorism and at risk of espionage by bad actors working against us. 'Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in an extremely difficult position as he cannot openly criticise Israel or America for the attacks on Iran. Whether Tehran has the capability to launch an attack in the UK is not certain but its intelligence operators are extremely resourceful. 'I would say the lead time from beginning to plan an attack would be several weeks but they are very resourceful.' Sources say there are fears Iran could also tap into a network of 'sleeper cells' being unleashed by the Islamic Republican Guard Corps' Quds Force. This unit specialises in unconventional warfare and are skilled in recruiting footsoldiers as they have done with Hezbollah for decades. It is believed the IRGC has an undercover presence in the UK and can mobilise large numbers of terror attackers. Another source, a former British intelligence officer said: 'This does not have to be as complicated as an undercover network set up by cold war Russia. 'Iran has for years been infiltrating dissident diaspora groups who have been outspoken in the UK about the regime back in the UK. And some of the plots that MI5 has combated have been very serious threats to life and other forms of terror. 'I would suggest that the attack launched by the US marks a step change and will very likely be reflected in an increase in threats inside the UK. Even if it is not declared by the IRGC, depending on the target there would be a strong indication who was behind it. And that would be an achievement for the network and its Iranian paymasters who have demonstrated a willingness to export terror for decades.'
Reuters
39 minutes ago
- Reuters
European Union divided over response to suspected Israeli rights breaches
BRUSSELS, June 23 (Reuters) - The European Union's top diplomat said on Monday she would take up concerns over suspected human rights breaches by Israel with its government, as talks in Brussels underscored divisions within the bloc over how to influence Israeli actions in Gaza. Kaja Kallas said her priority was to improve the humanitarian situation in the enclave amid concern in European capitals over Israeli operations there. The European Union's diplomatic service said in a report seen by Reuters on Friday there were indications that Israel had breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc. Israel's foreign ministry has rejected the EU report as a "moral and methodological failure". "I will now address the results of the review with Israel," Kallas said at a news conference following a meeting of European foreign ministers. "Our first goal is to change the situation on the ground and help humanitarian aid to get in," Kallas said. Kallas said she would come back to the issue in July if there had been no improvement. The report includes a section dedicated to the situation in Gaza, covering issues related to denial of humanitarian aid, attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, displacement, and lack of accountability. The report also looks at the situation in the West Bank, including settler violence. "It is not intended to punish Israel, but to trigger concrete improvements for the people and the lives of people in Gaza," Kallas said. Under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into force in 2000, the EU and Israel agreed that their relationship "shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles". EU nations were split over how to respond to the report, which cited assessments by independent international institutions. While Spain called for the suspension of the agreement with Israel, others including Germany and Italy opposed such a move. "This is the time for action," Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters ahead of the ministers' meeting in Brussels, calling for an arms embargo and sanctions on individuals who undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. Others expressed hope the report could help shift Israel's policies. "I think this can be a chance to put further pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter," Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said.
