EU justice opt-out seen as security risk

A report by the CER, which will be published this week, suggests that Conservative attempts to repatriate powers from Brussels and then opt back into a select number may backfire if it means the UK loses sway over immigration, crime and policing issues – the fastest-growing area of EU law. The think-tank also points out that if Britain antagonises EU members by withdrawing crime and justice co-operation, other countries could retaliate by blocking UK efforts to rejoin the few laws that it considers necessary.

...Hugo Brady, senior research fellow at the CER and the report's author, believes pursuing a full opt-out would be "terrible" for the UK’s reputation in Europe. "This would collapse Britain's influence in the area of justice and home affairs," Mr Brady said. "It will only radicalise the Conservative backbenchers more ... it won’t achieve any of its goals, and will only disadvantage the country in the long run."