London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UK PM Keir Starmer is aiming to restore pre-Brexit immigration deals with the EU to give the UK real-time access to migrants’ moves across the mainland.
In an address to the general assembly of Interpol, the PM Sir Keir Starmer stated he wanted to close a new security agreement with the EU that would minister to people smugglers as a global security threat, equivalent to terrorism. Sir Keir expressed he would be putting the matter at the top of the plan when leaders assemble for a European Political Community (EPC) summit in Hungary.
What security strategies is Starmer proposing at the EPC summit?
Sir Keir Starmer said:
“As part of the UK’s broader reset with the European Union, we are pursuing a new security pact, including restoring access to real-time intelligence sharing networks. And at the European Political Community on Thursday in Hungary, I’ll be putting this matter at the top of the international agenda once again.”
He stated the Government had to use “every tool we have – functional, diplomatic, political” to ensure governments had a joined-up policy to tackling the global threat presented by the immigration problem. Moreover, the PM also pointed to strategies to utilise bilateral agreements to additionally boost intelligence sharing with the EU.
How is the UK strengthening bilateral security with France and Germany?
He revealed: “President Macron and I have already arranged to increase intelligence sharing and do more to disassemble smuggling ways further upstream. This is also a focus for the bilateral partnership treaty we are working on with Germany. We’re working with Italy to dismantle the supply chains of maritime tools, combat illegal financial flows, and bolster our investigative capacities and our data sharing.”
What measures are included in the £150 million security investment?
Sir Keir also supported a £150 million investment – double the budget previously reported – to recruit 400 detectives and border security officers. Sir Keir stated: “This Labour government is resetting the UK’s whole procedure to this challenge. No more gimmicks. No more motion politics.” He added: “Our method is different. As I say – we’re going to treat people smugglers like terrorists. So we’re taking our course to counter-terrorism – which we know functions – and applying it to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command.”
