Initial take on the security/justice parts of deal, based on summaries. May be useful when studying the full text. Overall, better than I had feared. Will reduce gap in capability from 1 Jan if applied immediately. BUT cooperation will be still be slower/more clunky than now. 1/7
Data sharing. Looks like a good outcome: UK can continue to exchange fingerprint and DNA data through Prum (though not in real-time, so it will be slower) and vehicle reg. data in future. Exchange of Passenger Name Records continues, on precedent set by EU/US and AUS deals. 2/7
In similar way, UK won’t have real-time access to the ECRIS criminal records database, but will have a ‘streamlined and time-limited process’ for data exchange using shared technical infrastructure. Important, as speed=safety in these data-exchange areas 3/7
Less good is info exchanges between police forces. SISII was used 600m times by UK police in 2019. UK loses access to it, and has to settle for ‘information sharing in response to requests’ (ie slower). Police told Lords Cttee they w’d fall back on a less-used Interpol system 4/7
Cooperation with EUROPOL and EUROJUST moves to a liaison-officer arrangement as US and others have. UK keeps access to their secure messaging system but won’t be able to initiate joint investigations. A more arms-length role in these two bodies where UK has been a leader 5/7
In place of the Euro Arrest Warrant UK gets a Surrender Ag’t akin to Norway/Iceland model. Close to replicating what UK has now, except that EU states have the right not to extradite their nationals - altho’ they w’d then be obliged to try such cases domestically (new point?) 6/7
So, if these words are implemented fast, this sh’d limit capability gaps. BUT it all depends on Commission making a positive data adequacy ruling within 4 month window. AND all this cooperation can be suspended if UK fails to respect fundamental rights as set out in the ECHR. 7/7
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The decision not to participate in #Erasmus is short-sighted and mean-spirited. The programme transformed the life-chances of thousands of Brits, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. The proposed UK alternative from a standing start will not be a full substitute. Here’s why. 1/7
Erasmus is often misunderstood as ‘just’ about uni student exchanges. That’s hugely important. But it also promoted vocational education and training placements and youth exchanges for schoolchildren. It gave extra grants for those with disabilities. All this = levelling up. 2/7
Erasmus gave participants a common framework and rules, which reduced the admin burden of setting up and running exchanges. This was vital for smaller colleges, youth groups etc. See evidence given to our Lords Cttee in 2018 on all this publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ld… 3/7
10 years ago today, UK and France signed two landmark Treaties on defence cooperation, which I coordinated as National Security Adviser. Here’s my view of what has been achieved (a mixed picture) and the prospects (much of the momentum has been lost) 1/4 rusi.org/commentary/fra…
One Treaty made a 50 year commitment to nuclear cooperation. The two countries are sharing a single facility (in Burgundy) for testing their warhead designs using advanced simulation. Saves each side money, and sends a powerful message of confidence in long-term partnership 2/4
The second treaty enabled much closer operational cooperation between the armed forces. This has been a success story. UK and France now have a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force trained to fight together. Exchanges of personnel and regular exercises have forged strong links. 3/4