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Gavin Newlands MP calls on UK Government to commit to Europol


Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has spoken out on the dangers that Brexit may cause to the ability of the police authorities to tackle serious crimes like human trafficking, terrorism, drug dealing and prostitution.


The Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North today challenged David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, to guarantee that the UK will continue to be a member of Europol following Brexit.


Mr Newlands serves on the UK Parliament’s Justice Committee.


Europol allows police forces across the EU to cooperate with each other to tackle serious crime. However, the UK’s membership of Europol has been threatened following the UK’s eventful exit from the EU.


Earlier this week, Callum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Not being in Europol will be an impediment to the police in fighting serious and organised crime ... and hindering the ability to investigate crimes means that those who perpetuate misery through people trafficking, drug dealing and prostitution are going to be that little bit harder to catch.”


Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:


“Membership of Europol is critically important to the ability of our police forces to work with other European countries to prosecute individuals who commit serious crimes like human trafficking, drug dealing and prostitution.


“Organised crime doesn’t recognise national boundaries and it’s vitally important that we work together with other countries around the world to take action on those who commit such horrendous criminal acts.


“It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government failed once again to guarantee that the UK will continue to be a member of Europol after our exit from the EU. This is an issue which is far too important to be ignored. The UK Government has to start providing detail as to how we’ll work with other countries to tackle the most serious of international crimes.”

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