Starmer seeks to restore pre-Brexit migrant deal with EU

This decision comes in marked contrast to the Tories, with Kemi Badenoch saying she is prepared to quit if necessary and her leadership rival Robert Jenrick demanding immediate withdrawal.

The Prime Minister told Interpol, which has more than 190 member countries: “Respecting international treaties also makes international co-operation easier, because it shows that the UK is a reliable partner.”

‘Restore access to intelligence-sharing networks’

It is understood that Britain is seeking a new deal with the EU that would allow the UK to opt in to its fingerprint system, which is used to identify asylum seekers and illegal migrants on the continent.

Britain lost access after Brexit, and rejoining the so-called Eurodac database would enable Border Force to fast-track asylum cases by identifying when an individual has previously applied to – and been rejected from – a European country.

It could form the basis for a renegotiation of the pre-Brexit Dublin agreement, which determined that EU countries should take back migrants who passed through their borders without their asylum claim being processed.

Sir Keir told Interpol: “As part of the UK’s wider reset with the European Union, we are seeking a new security pact, including restoring access to real-time intelligence sharing networks.

“And at the European Political Community on Thursday in Hungary, I’ll be putting this issue at the top of the international agenda once again.”

He said the Government had to use “every tool we have – operational, diplomatic, political” to ensure countries had a joined-up approach to tackling the global threat posed by the immigration crisis.

‘Dismantle smuggling routes upstream’

The Prime Minister also pointed to plans to use bilateral agreements to further boost intelligence sharing with the EU. It follows in the footsteps of a £480 million deal made two years ago between the UK and France to put more officers on beaches.

He said: “President Macron and I have already agreed to increase intelligence sharing and do more to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream. This is also a priority for the bilateral cooperation treaty we are working on with Germany.”

“We’re working with Italy to dismantle the supply chains of maritime equipment, combat illicit financial flows, and strengthen our investigative capacities and our data sharing.”