Eurocrats jet to London on ‘essential mission’ to ensure UK complies with EU rules
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MEPs from the European Parliament Committee for civil liberties, justice and internal affairs are travelling to the UK to grill senior MPs and peers. The four MEPs from the EPP, Greens, ECR and ID groups of the European Parliament, will meet with MPs, Lords and data experts to “understand” the UK’s direction and the Government’s intentions to comply with EU rules on data protection.
In a note seen by Express.co.uk, the head of the delegation, League MEP Annalisa Tardino, said: “On a mission to London at a delicate historical moment in the political and economic life of the United Kingdom.
“Honoured for the trust placed in me by the Libe Committee President Lopez Aguilar in entrusting me with the leadership of the delegation in the series of meetings.
“During the visit, we will meet members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, members and officials of the British Government, representatives of the Commissioner for Information, data protection experts, academics and NGOs.
“Central theme, the two adequacy decisions that allow the free flow of personal data from the EU to the United Kingdom post-Brexit and the protection of personal data as part of the next reform, starting from the European Parliament resolution approved in May 2021.
“The ability to transfer personal data across borders has the potential to be a key driver of innovation, productivity and economic competitiveness, as well as being crucial for effective cooperation in the fight against cross-border organised crime, serious crime and terrorism, which increasingly depends on the exchange of personal data.
“For these reasons, we intend to better understand the direction in which the UK data protection reform is moving and whether these changes will have an impact on the adequacy status under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Directive on the application of the law. Even outside the EU, London remains a key partner for Brussels, which is why it is essential to develop a solid relationship.”
It comes as a new task force has been announced to protect British democratic institutions from foreign interference as the Government warned of a growing threat from hostile states.
The body will look at both physical and online threats to MPs, security minister Tom Tugendhat said.
He warned that “dictatorships are trying to write new rules for a new world” and said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was an example of the “growing threat from hostile states”.
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Mr Tugendhat’s announcement follows reports that Liz Truss’s personal phone was hacked while she was foreign secretary by Moscow’s agents and warnings from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) about an “acute” online threat to the UK from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
The security minister told MPs: “The advanced technologies our rivals have spent time and money developing have levelled the field and made us more vulnerable.
“Britain has been on the front line of the defence of liberty for generations; our agencies and businesses have faced the reality of this danger for decades.
“Our Parliament and our politics are now no different, whether it’s ministers or shadow ministers on the committee, or when leading a campaign, this is about every party and every member of this House.”
He told MPs there had been attempts by “unfriendly states to influence our politics in recent years”.
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Mr Tugendhat said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had asked him to lead the new task force to work with Parliament, government departments, the security and intelligence agencies, the devolved administrations and the private sector.
“The task force will look at the full range of threats facing our democratic institutions,” he told MPs.
“This will include the physical threats to members of this Parliament and those elected to serve across the country, so tragically brought home by the murder of our dear friends Sir David Amess last year and Jo Cox in 2016.”
The task force will report to the National Security Council and would involve cross-party cooperation.
The security minister added: “This work is for all of us in this House, and those who have asked us to represent their interests.
“The Government has robust systems in place to protect against cyber threats. We are vigilant in ensuring that these are up to date and meet the challenges of the modern world.
“The National Cyber Security Centre, Government and parliamentary security offer all members specific advice on protecting personal data and managing online profiles as well as best practice guidance.”