BRITAIN yesterday took its EU obstructionism to its most absurd conclusion when it blocked a series of measures designed to strengthen the international fight against crime and terrorism.
The unlikely wielder of the veto at the meeting of justice and home affairs ministers was the notorious law and order hawk, the Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard.
Bewildered ministers watched as the British vetoed 10 measures, all those on the agenda on which unanimous political agreement had been reached. On only one decision, on the Europol convention, did Mr Howard indicate that Britain would have wielded the veto in normal circumstances. As this council only takes decisions by unanimity, only procedural points could be agreed.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, expressed her "deep disappointment" at the British tactics which, she said, amounted to "cutting off their nose to spite their face.
The Minister said the move could send out the wrong signal to the public about the commitment of ministers to that fight, particularly to the embryonic Europol.
Perhaps most ironic was the vetoing of proposals to set up a joint EU register of anti terrorism skills and facilities in the member states. The directory was a British initiative.
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