BRUSSELS RAGE: Barnier promises to SHUT OUT Britain from EU security databases post-Brexit
MICHEL BARNIER has taken aim at British Brexiteers and their “red lines” as he gave a speech on the possibilities of a future security relationship between the UK and European Union after Brexit and promised to lock Britain out of a series of EU crimefighting databases.
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The European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator said Brussels will not be drawn into a “blame game” by Britons left unhappy without being offered the benefits from full EU membership despite leaving the bloc.
Mr Barnier has often discussed the “consequences” of Brexit, reinforcing the EU’s tough negotiating stance of not allowing the UK to cherry pick any elements of its member states’ so-called membership benefits.
Speaking in Vienna, the Frenchman outlined the EU’s offer of a post-Brexit security partnership between Brussels and Westminster. This included the “effective exchange of data”, “cooperation between law enforcement authorities”, “judicial cooperation” and measures to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing.
However, the UK will be locked out of the EU’s policing and security databases after the country leaves the Brussels project.
They want to maintain all the benefits of the current relationship
Speaking of his offer, Mr Barnier told the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: “This is our offer.
“While we are constrained by the UK’s red lines, it is a fair offer. It reflects our strong commitment to address our common challenges.”
The Brexit negotiator then took aim at what he perceives as a British demand for the same benefits as EU membership.
Mr Barnier added: “Some in the UK would like to go further.
“They want to maintain all the benefits of the current relationship, while leaving the EU regulatory, supervision and application framework. And, they try to blame us for the consequences of their choice.
“Once again, we will not be drawn into this blame game. It would mean wasting time we don’t have.”
The EU’s chief negotiator also spelled out a future without British participation in a series of databases used by Brussels to fight crime.
He said: “Let’s be clear: based on the UK’s positions, our cooperation will need to be organised differently. It will rely on effective and reciprocal exchanges, but not on access to EU-only or Schengen-only databased.”
Yesterday, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, released a series of slides with several demands for a post-Brexit deal.
The document demanded a so-called “guillotine clause”, threatening to nullify any EU-UK security partnership if Britain leaves the European Court of Human Rights.
Both parties are determined to find an arrangement where they can freely exchange information and support in order to combat terrorism and other crimes on the Continent.
The UK is one of the EU’s most trusted security partner and member states want to see that continue after Brexit, according to one EU diplomat.
However, Brussels has scrutinised British proposals in the Commission’s latest publication on the Brexit negotiations.
In order to “safeguard” any future EU-UK security partnership, Brussels has proposed several stipulations for a potential deal.
To protect “fundamental rights” Britain will have to remain party to the European Convention of Human Rights.
The Commission has demanded a “guillotine clause” which would nullify the agreement if Britain leaves the European Court of Human Rights.