UK to quit 100 EU justice regulations ? but opts to keep controversial arrest warrant
THERESA May is set to unveil landmark plans to permanently claw back almost 100 criminal justice measures from the European Union (EU) while retaining the controversial European arrest warrant today.
Britain will remain bound by the European arrest warrant scheme and stay in the Europol crime-fighting agency, but quit almost 100 other EU justice and police measures, the Home Secretary is set to reveal.
In a compromise agreement with Liberal Democrats, it is reported May will tell MPs the UK will continue to support 35 EU powers in a bid to protect the country from becoming a safe haven for Europe's criminals.
In a move to reassure Tory MPs who wanted her to go further in repatriating power from Brussels, reports have emerged that the Home Secretary will say she intends to work with like-minded member states to reform the European arrest warrant.
The agreement - hammered out between Tory policy chief Oliver Letwin and the Lib Dem Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander - following months of wrangling between the coalition partners.
The move is the start of Prime Minister David Cameron's attempt to renegotiate Britain's relationship with Europe ahead of the proposed in-out referendum on the EU in 2015.
The Conservatives were reported to want to retain just 29 EU measures while the Lib Dems were said to be pushing for around 45.
The Guardian quoted a Lib Dem source as saying: "This is a deal; it is a compromise. It is good for the Liberal Democrats; it is good for the Conservatives. But most importantly it is good for the fight against crime."
However, many Tory MPs have expressed concern over the European arrest warrant, arguing that it is used to extradite British nationals for relatively trivial offences who can then be held for lengthy periods while they await trial.
Mrs May is reported to be seeking agreement on a proportionality test which would limit its use to more serious offences.
Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, the UK has to opt out of all 133 measures under the justice and home affairs heading simultaneously.
It can then seek to opt back in to those measures it wishes to retain.
Labour has warned that opting back in is likely to be a "very uncertain process", pointing to comments by EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding who said it would be "complex, time-consuming (and) leave a lot of legal uncertainty".
THERESA May is set to unveil landmark plans to permanently claw back almost 100 criminal justice measures from the European Union (EU) while retaining the controversial European arrest warrant today.
Britain will remain bound by the European arrest warrant scheme and stay in the Europol crime-fighting agency, but quit almost 100 other EU justice and police measures, the Home Secretary is set to reveal.
In a compromise agreement with Liberal Democrats, it is reported May will tell MPs the UK will continue to support 35 EU powers in a bid to protect the country from becoming a safe haven for Europe's criminals.
In a move to reassure Tory MPs who wanted her to go further in repatriating power from Brussels, reports have emerged that the Home Secretary will say she intends to work with like-minded member states to reform the European arrest warrant.
The agreement - hammered out between Tory policy chief Oliver Letwin and the Lib Dem Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander - following months of wrangling between the coalition partners.
The move is the start of Prime Minister David Cameron's attempt to renegotiate Britain's relationship with Europe ahead of the proposed in-out referendum on the EU in 2015.
The Conservatives were reported to want to retain just 29 EU measures while the Lib Dems were said to be pushing for around 45.
The Guardian quoted a Lib Dem source as saying: "This is a deal; it is a compromise. It is good for the Liberal Democrats; it is good for the Conservatives. But most importantly it is good for the fight against crime."
However, many Tory MPs have expressed concern over the European arrest warrant, arguing that it is used to extradite British nationals for relatively trivial offences who can then be held for lengthy periods while they await trial.
Mrs May is reported to be seeking agreement on a proportionality test which would limit its use to more serious offences.
Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, the UK has to opt out of all 133 measures under the justice and home affairs heading simultaneously.
It can then seek to opt back in to those measures it wishes to retain.
Labour has warned that opting back in is likely to be a "very uncertain process", pointing to comments by EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding who said it would be "complex, time-consuming (and) leave a lot of legal uncertainty".
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