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David Cameron’s threat to leave EU is security risk, says Keir Starmer David Cameron’s threat to leave EU is security risk, says Keir Starmer
(34 minutes later)
The former director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, has accused David Cameron of putting national security and the fight against terrorism at risk by flirting with the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union.The former director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, has accused David Cameron of putting national security and the fight against terrorism at risk by flirting with the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union.
Writing in the Observer, Starmer, who is now a Labour MP, argues that the growing threat posed by international terrorists, as well as cross-border criminals including paedophiles, has created an urgent need for more, not less, cooperation between European governments and institutions in order to keep Britons safe.Writing in the Observer, Starmer, who is now a Labour MP, argues that the growing threat posed by international terrorists, as well as cross-border criminals including paedophiles, has created an urgent need for more, not less, cooperation between European governments and institutions in order to keep Britons safe.
His intervention is part of an attempt by pro-EU campaigners to widen the debate about the benefits of membership beyond mere economics to issues of security and the key role of international bodies in sharing information about terrorists and other criminals who increasingly operate across borders.His intervention is part of an attempt by pro-EU campaigners to widen the debate about the benefits of membership beyond mere economics to issues of security and the key role of international bodies in sharing information about terrorists and other criminals who increasingly operate across borders.
Starmer writes: “The tragic events in Paris, along with confirmation that seven terror plots have been foiled here in the UK in recent months, underline just how important it is that we maintain and enhance our capacity to investigate and prosecute those concerned.Starmer writes: “The tragic events in Paris, along with confirmation that seven terror plots have been foiled here in the UK in recent months, underline just how important it is that we maintain and enhance our capacity to investigate and prosecute those concerned.
Related: Criminals and terrorists will rejoice if we leave the EU | Keir StarmerRelated: Criminals and terrorists will rejoice if we leave the EU | Keir Starmer
“To counter these threats, our police and security forces need to be able to act just as quickly and across borders. Information needs to be shared speedily, arrests have to be coordinated and a prosecution strategy devised.” “To counter these threats, our police and security forces need to be able to act just as quickly and across borders. Information needs to be shared speedily, arrests have to be coordinated and a prosecution strategy devised.
He adds: “Britain outside the EU would be less able to respond with the speed and strength we need to tackle complex threats. “Britain outside the EU would be less able to respond with the speed and strength we need to tackle complex threats,” he added. “That is why, alongside the business case for staying in the EU, there is a hard-headed national security case. By flirting with withdrawal from the EU, the prime minister is now putting all of this at risk.”
“That is why, alongside the business case for staying in the EU, there is a hard-headed national security case. By flirting with withdrawal from the EU, the prime minister is now putting all of this at risk.” At a recent EU summit in Brussels, where Cameron tabled his demands for reform of the terms of UK membership before an in/out referendum to be held by the end of 2017, he said he believed the terrorist threat was now a key reason for staying in the EU, so long as changes are agreed that will make UK membership more acceptable to the British people.
At a recent EU summit in Brussels, where Cameron tabled his demands for reform of the terms of UK membership ahead of an in/out referendum to be held by the end of 2017, he said he believed the terrorist threat was now a key reason for staying in the EU, so long as changes are agreed that will make UK membership more acceptable to the British people. However, with all the other 27 member states opposed to his ideas on cutting the entitlement of EU migrants to claim benefits in the UK, it is by no means certain that Cameron will achieve a deal that he can sell the British people. He has also made clear in recent weeks that if he does not get the deal he wants he may be prepared to lead the campaign for the UK to leave the EU.
However, with all the other 27 member states opposed to his ideas on cutting the entitlement of EU migrants to claim benefits in the UK, it is by no means certain that Cameron will achieve a deal that he can sell the British people. Starmer also highlights the role of Europol, the European police office, in the fight against child-abuse networks. “[A recent] UK-led operation across 12 countries dealt successfully with a very large child abuse network,” he wrote.
He has also made clear in recent weeks that if he does not get the deal he wants he may be prepared to lead the campaign for the UK to leave the EU.
Starmer also highlights the role of Europol, the European Police Office, in the fight against child-abuse networks.
“[A recent] UK-led operation across 12 countries dealt successfully with a very large child abuse network,” he says.
“At least 230 children were at risk, including 60 in the UK, and the operation led to the arrest of more than 180 offenders, 121 of whom were arrested in the UK.”“At least 230 children were at risk, including 60 in the UK, and the operation led to the arrest of more than 180 offenders, 121 of whom were arrested in the UK.”