In a speech on Thursday November 14, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer claimed to have “doubled the number of UK officers in Europol”.
Evaluation
It is unclear what Sir Keir is basing this statement on. Government communications in recent months have claimed that “the number of British officers stationed at Europol” had risen by 50%.
The facts
On July 17, the Home Office said that the “Home Secretary has already delivered a 50% uplift in NCA (National Crime Agency) officers to be based in Europol with immediate effect.”
It added that “work is underway to further deepen our partnerships with Europol and its European Migrant Smuggling Centre”.
The Government mentioned the same 50% increase in NCA officers or “British officers” stationed at Europol, in statements on August 21, September 6, and September 17.
The September 17 statement read: “The Government has also announced a 50% increase in the number of British officers stationed at Europol, supporting European operations to dismantle organised crime groups facilitating people smuggling.”
Number 10 Downing Street did not respond to two emails asking what the Prime Minister was basing his statement on.
Links
Post on X (archived post and video)
Gov.uk – ‘Security at the heart of UK’s reset with Europe’: PM to tell world leaders as he pledges closer cooperation to dismantle European smuggling rings and bring order to British borders (archived)
Gov.uk – Home Secretary announces new measures to boost Britain’s border security (archived)
Home Secretary sets out ‘moral imperative’ to stop smuggling gangs (archived)
Gov.uk – New investment for Border Security Command (archived)
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article