Friday, 16 July 2010
Should Britian sign up to the European Investigation Order?
Britain has until the end of the month to decide whether or not to sign up to the European Investigation Order. We have not had an opportunity to debate the matter in the House of Commons. So, I raised the matter in the Chamber this week.
In the Order's current form, it would allow European police to instruct British forces to collect and hand over evidence in relation to foreign investigations. There are no proper limits on the nature of the crimes involved - so they could be trivial, or not even offences under UK law. Do we really want hard-pressed UK forces having to prioritise investigations in other countries, unless they relate to serious crimes? In addition, there are no proper safeguards to protect personal information or bodily samples from British citizens carted off for use in foreign investigations. And the Order even provides legal authority for European police to carry out investigations on British soil.
The Order is a dog's dinner. I will be pressing for clarification that Britain will not sign up to it in its current form. The issue was covered today in the Daily Telegraph here, and Daily Mail here.
In the Order's current form, it would allow European police to instruct British forces to collect and hand over evidence in relation to foreign investigations. There are no proper limits on the nature of the crimes involved - so they could be trivial, or not even offences under UK law. Do we really want hard-pressed UK forces having to prioritise investigations in other countries, unless they relate to serious crimes? In addition, there are no proper safeguards to protect personal information or bodily samples from British citizens carted off for use in foreign investigations. And the Order even provides legal authority for European police to carry out investigations on British soil.
The Order is a dog's dinner. I will be pressing for clarification that Britain will not sign up to it in its current form. The issue was covered today in the Daily Telegraph here, and Daily Mail here.
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2 comments:
"Never again should it be possible for a British government to transfer power to the European Union without the say of the British people in a referendum." - David Cameron 3/11/09
??
We were promised a referendum.
We are now promised a 'referendum lock' i.e. should the EU move to grab any more power from Westminster a referendum will automatically be called.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/09/tory-eurosceptic-letter-william-hague
This was a 'leak': WH has yet to make his sentiments public.
Meanwhile despite Dom's efforts and given apparent indifference by our government, the European Investigation Order has come into effect.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7893047/Fears-over-new-EU-snooping-powers-for-police.html
How is any 'move to grab any more power from Westminster' defined?
Perhaps we should be told.
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