May backs Labour plan on EAW

After refusing to allow MPs to vote on the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) last week, Labour moved to offer a full debate and vote on the matter – which will take place tonight.

Labour are all for opting into the EAW. But to clarify the Government’s position following the confusion last week, Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary, wrote an open letter to Theresa May (the full text of which you can find below) asking her to support the motion.

May responded with the following statement:

“Given that the Government has been very open in stating its belief that rejoining the 35 measures is in the national interest, we will vote to support your motion”

So it looks like as many suspected, the Government does support EAW but didn’t want to draw attention to this the day before the Rochester and Strood by-election…

Full text of the letter from Yvette Cooper to Theresa May

Dear Theresa,

Last week MPs from across the House of Commons expected there to be a vote on a motion regarding the European Arrest Warrant.

As the Speaker and the overwhelming majority of Members recognised – the motion tabled by the Government did not include the European Arrest Warrant, instead only dealing with 11 other measures.

As you will no doubt recall, the Speaker stated: “There will not today be a vote on the specific matter of membership of the European arrest warrant. That is the reality.”

The Government did not provide a vote, despite sharing our position on this important issue.

As you know, I fully support your decision to opt back into the European Arrest Warrant. It means 1,000 foreign criminals are removed from our country each year. We were looking forward to supporting the UK’s continued involvement in the EAW.

I wrote to you three days before the strange non-vote in Parliament urging you to have a simple motion that endorsed the 35 measures, including the European Arrest Warrant. It is, after all, something we both agree on. You assured me there would be a vote.

In that spirit, can I invite you and the Prime Minister – who is copied into this letter – to sign the motion before the House tomorrow making it clear Parliament will have endorsed your application to rejoin the 35 measures, including the EAW. The motion reads:

That this House endorses the Government’s formal application to rejoin 35 European Union Justice and Home Affairs measures, including the European Arrest Warrant.

The motion tabled replicates the Government’s wording in the Lords which said:

This House thereby endorses the Government’s formal application to rejoin 35 European Union Justice and Home Affairs measures.

But also making it clear – for the avoidance of doubt – the package includes the European Arrest Warrant.

I hope you will sign the motion and honour your commitment to have a vote and support the UK’s continued use of the European Arrest Warrant.

Yours sincerely,

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Shadow Home Secretary