Wallace to warn of security dangers post-Brexit

In a speech to law enforcement leaders Security Minister Ben Wallace is to warn of how a no-deal Brexit would hit UK-EU security ties and have a worrying impact on protecting the public.

Speaking at the International Security Expo in London, Wallace will say that Prime Minister’s Theresa May's deal, set to be voted upon by MPs next month, sets the foundations for the most comprehensive security relationship in EU history, with the deal accompanied by a non-binding declaration on the future relationship between the EU and UK and the promise to co-operate on security after the transition period is set out in this document.

Despite arguments that the current deal fails on guarantees for security, as stressed by Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, Wallace will emphasis how the ‘heart of effective security is close co-operation’ and that the prospect of a no-deal Brexit would damage this. The partnership that would eb established by the current deal would include the ability to exchange information on criminals and tackle terrorism, to quickly share data on people travelling to and from the UK to spot potential threats, to exchange DNA and fingerprints, and to fast-track extraditions.

The UK will leave the EU on 29 March 2019 but, under the Prime Minister’s deal, the UK and EU would continue to work together as they do now during a transition period, which is due to run until 31 December 2020.