Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, has called on the government to ensure that the UK retains the European Arrest Warrant and membership of Europol when we leave the EU. Speaking in Parliament, Emma asked: “Has the government decided whether it will seek to retain the European Arrest Warrant after we leave the EU and has the Home Secretary had some stern words with her colleague the Brexit Secretary who voted against it only two years ago?”

The Minister responded that the European Arrest Warrant: “provided a basis for a swift and cost efficient extradition process.” But he was unable to say if the UK would retain this important tool after the UK left the EU.

Speaking afterwards, Emma said: “The European Arrest Warrant has helped local police forces to rapidly take some of the West Midlands’ most dangerous criminals off our streets. It enables us to remove them from our own shores and brings those fleeing abroad back home to face justice quickly and efficiently.

“In 2005, Osman Hussain, the terrorist who tried to bomb the London underground, fled to Rome and was extradited back to Britain in five weeks. In 1980s, before the European Arrest Warrant, it took a decade to extradite a suspected terrorist to France, who was responsible for bombing the Paris metro.

“It is clear the European Arrest Warrant helps keep the British public safe. I am very concerned that the government was not able to give a firm commitment that it will do so.”

November 2016

 

For more information please contact Emma’s office on 020 7219 6919