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Scots and independence: security threat or opportunity?

by Mark Rowe

Threats to Scotland and the UK from organised crime gangs, cyber criminals and global terrorism are best confronted with Scotland inside the UK. So the Home Secretary Theresa May said in Scotland. She was there to launch ‘Scotland analysis: Security’, the seventh in a series of UK government papers to – according to the Home Office – inform the debate ahead of the 2014 independence referendum.

Theresa May said: “This report sets out in plain terms the security consequences of independence, not just for Scotland but for the UK as a whole. Undoubtedly we are stronger and safer together. The national security risks the UK faces are complex and changing. Terrorists and organised criminals will seek new ways to exploit any weakness in our justice and policing capabilities, and the scale of emerging threats, such as cyber crime, demands a comprehensively resourced response. Now is the time to work more closely together for the security of all citizens of the UK.”

The 66-page paper examines how the UK and Scotland derive mutual benefit from an integrated approach to security, cyber, justice and policing, besides security exports and international alliances. For the full page visit the gov.uk website.

The possible consequences for both Scotland and the continuing UK of a vote for independence are subject to analysis in the paper. It stresses that while the UK does work with other countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, to improve security and fight organised crime, there is a significant difference between these relationships and Scotland’s current position as a part of the UK.

The paper concludes that independence could disturb the united protection provided to Scotland by the UK’s security and intelligence architecture.

SNP say

For the Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP Christine Grahame, who chairs Holyrood’s Justice Committee said Theresa May flunked a test of whether the Westminster Government would heed Alistair Carmichael’s advice to stop lecturing people in Scotland.

“All we have heard from Theresa May today is the same old tired and discredited nonsense reheated by Westminster once again.

“This is “Project Fear’ at its worst – trying to politicise issues of security and anti-terrorism in this way is the height of irresponsibility.

“This paper completely ignores the fact that Scotland is already an independent jurisdiction for justice and policing – and as such we already have lots of cross-border cooperation on counter-terrorism and other issues which will continue in an independent Scotland.

“It frankly beggars belief that Theresa May feels able to lecture anyone on arresting people in other countries after she was forced into an embarrassing U-turn on the European Arrest Warrant earlier this year.

“While Theresa May’s own record on security is one of cutting police officers by over 11,000 and undermining policy pay and conditions south of the border, the Scottish Government has a strong track record on standing by our police service.

“In Scotland we have delivered more than 1,000 additional police officers while protecting them from the deeply damaging Winsor changes to pay and conditions.

“The SNP has a record of delivering when it comes to policing and security and we will take no lessons from someone who has done so much to undermine this vital area south of the border.”

The SNP pointed to Scotland as already an independent jurisdiction for justice and policing issues, and the fact that European Arrest Warrants would apply. A close ongoing security relationship between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK will also be in both countries’ interests, the party added.

Allan Burnett, the former Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) Co-ordinator of Counter Terrorism has said that “an excellent Scottish intelligence organisation could be developed in an independent country”. See also the pro-independence Yes Scotland website.

Burnett said: “UK security is a long way from being perfect. Multiple organisations fight for power and influence, and inappropriate UK Government interference is rife. Trust and information sharing can be lacking – witness the struggling Borders Agency. There is a great opportunity for an independent Scotland, where co-operation is a reality and not just an aspiration, to do very much better.

“The usual starting position for security experts are to establish the threats faced, and their probability and impact.

“I believe an independent Scotland would face less of a threat from terrorism for a number of reasons. We would not add to international tension by taking part in illegal wars, and as a nuclear-free state potential terrorist targets would be removed from our country.”

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