Leaked documents have revealed that Andy Burnham is to consider ending the deportation of European criminals back to the EU as part of Labour’s reset deal with the bloc. The reports, published this evening, show that Eurocrats have already drafted a plan in partnership with Whitehall mandarins ahead of the UK/EU summit this month.
That summit was delayed after Sir Keir Starmer was ousted as Prime Minister in a coup by his own party, shortly before Mr Burnham became leader in an uncontested race. A dossier has now exposed that the EU wants more money from British taxpayers, as well as for the country to halt the deportation of European crooks.
EU Demands and UK Concessions
As revealed by the television channel Sky News, the document shows that the EU expects the UK to make an “appropriate level of financial contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the EU”. That would be in return for Britain being granted access to trade in the bloc’s single market for electricity.
It also states that both London and Brussels want to “conclude these negotiations swiftly”, to allow the UK to access the market “as soon as possible”.
Impact on Deportations and Prison Pressure
The leaks will fuel fears that Mr Burnham intends to take the country ever closer to the EU by stealth, and may be planning to rejoin - as he has called for - in his lifetime. Mr Burnham is an ardent supporter of Remain, having campaigned to stay in the bloc and then demanded a second referendum when his side lost.
The leaked document also states that the UK “commits not to proceed with such removals and deportations” of European offenders to EU countries, which Labour legislated for earlier this year to try and relieve pressure on the UK’s bursting-at-the-seams prisons. EU countries have long objected to criminals being released early and being immediately returned - they want more warning and information.
Political Reaction and Next Steps
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said in response: “Labour has been caught offering foreign criminals a get-out-of-jail card because the EU doesn’t like Britain deporting them.
“British prisons are bursting at the seams, with taxpayers are picking up the bill, yet Labour is more interested in keeping Brussels happy than getting foreign criminals out of our country. It is an absolute betrayal of common sense.”
He added that the “next Conservative government will deport every foreign criminal”. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has previously said that concessions to the EU would be a “betrayal” of the country’s vote to Leave.
The Daily Express has launched a campaign to ‘Give Us A Proper Brexit’ which calls for no concessions, a cutting up of red tape, and a protected fishing zone around the country.
