Thread by @BestForBritain

Very interesting @ifgevents this morning on the future of UK-EU security cooperation. Key thing is: crime knows no borders. Hence it is absolutely crucial for the UK to exit the transition period with an arrangement in place in that area. Read more 👇

1/ For NI, Naomi Long says discussions of a possible land border has increased political tension and she is worried border checks will become a target for violence.

2/ Very important not to jeopardise excellent security relationship with RoI and wider EU - key to upholding the Good Friday Agreement and fighting organised crime and terrorism.

3/ Julian King says there is a deal to be done in area of security. Key issues to resolve are around role of ECJ, fundamental rights and data but possible to build a relationship. BUT emphasises relationship won't be the same the UK used to enjoy.

4/ While UK might keep access to certain databases, some EU security databases such as Schengen Information System will be off limit. This is a big deal he says and the UK will need to try and replicate those separately.

5/ Schengen Information System is the most widely used and largest information sharing system in Europe. It shares alerts between front line offices, border forces etc to keep us all safe.

Not having access to this in the future is very worrying...

6/ As Rob Wainwright states, live time data sharing is key and at the heart of modern police operations. Europol links over 1000 law enforcement teams in different countries. The UK played a big part in setting this system up...

7/ Patrick Calvar, former Director General of French Interior Security says economy and security issues should be dealt separately in the negotiations. We all stand to lose if we have no UK-EU arrangements in place in the area of security come 1st January 2021.

8/ No deal on security would have a big detrimental impact - as Julian King highlights, crazy to think that if no arrangements, UK will not be able to know who comes in airports, nor would it be able to have extradition arrangements (examples amongst many others).

9/ Real-time data sharing is crucial in the field of security. A lack of security cooperation between UK-EU could lead to catastrophic consequences, the development of organised crime and heightening of tensions around NI border.

10/ As Sir Rob Wainwright notes, we hope an agreement can be found which will provide continuity and act as bridge towards future UK-EU cooperation in the field of security. This is in the best interest of all of us.