Recent terror attacks on the capital prove the need for ministers to secure the UK’s participation in Europol, the European Arrest Warrant and EU Passenger Name Records schemes post Brexit, Mayor Sadiq Khan has said.
Appearing before London Assembly members, the Mayor described the three schemes as “vital tools for protecting the British public” and warned that the stalled Brexit talks were putting security “at serious risk”.
Mr Khan claimed that a failure to reach a deal with the European Union “would seriously compromise public safety”.
He also warned that Home Secretary Amber Rudd’s assurances earlier this week that ministers were looking at ‘back-stop’ options could not replicate the strength and effectiveness of current arrangements.
Mr Khan said: “The safety and protection of our capital city is my number-one priority – and the threat to London is becoming more international than ever.
“Measures like Europol, the European Arrest Warrant and EU Passenger Name Records have played a huge part in helping our hard-working police and security services foil many plots.
“No deal on these complex security issues is simply not an option.”
