A new cross-party, four nation approach to Brexit
The Tories’ hard Brexit plan has been rejected by the public. It is now essential that we seek as much consensus as possible on the way forward.
News story: Keeping the nation safe: Ministry of Defence Police rise to the challenge
The MDP deployments involved close co-operation with the various Home Office Police Forces that had requested support, and with the 1,000 military personnel who were mobilised at the same time.
In the first 24 hours following the activation of Operation Temperer, MDP officers were deployed to support 8 police forces across England and Wales. This number increased to 18 over the Bank Holiday weekend, with up to a quarter of the force’s total strength of Authorised Firearms Officers deployed to provide reassurance to the public at a variety of iconic sites, crowded places and public and major sporting events around the country.
The MDP also provided armed officers to support British Transport Police with keeping the rail network safe, including at London transport hubs, and MDP officers were also deployed at Stansted Airport to support Essex Police.
The busiest day for the MDP was Saturday 27 May, when the force supported policing operations at 60 public events across England and Wales, including high profile music concerts, festivals and sporting occasions.
These included:
- Chester Races
- Radio One Big Weekend in Hull
- Tall Ships Festival at Gloucester Docks
- Iron Maiden concert at London’s O2 venue.
The police forces who received support from the MDP ranged from the Metropolitan Police Service in London to Dyfed-Powys in Wales, and from West Mercia to South Yorkshire, a response described by MDP Gold Commander Assistant Chief Constable Paul McLaughlin as ‘extraordinary’. He said:
We responded exceptionally well. The professional manner and attitude of our officers and staff was first class. We provided very large numbers of officers in response to what was requested, and the transition at local level in terms of military personnel back-filling for the MDP also went very smoothly.
Advance planning was key to the success of the MDP deployments, together with solid liaison with the National Police Co-ordination Centre and the Operations Directorate, he added.
And MDP Deputy Chief Constable Andy Adams commented:
The MOD response to Operation Temperer has been impressive and I know that the wider department will be expressing their own support for what their colleagues have been doing. I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the important role MDP officers and staff undertake through our dual focus at times like this: our role within the MOD and that of delivering a policing service which can be called upon outside of the department.
Critical incidents always generate the ‘can do’ attitude in those who are operationally focused; people put themselves out, are prepared to endure long hours and simply want to get on with the job. For these people, public service overrides personal interests and other commitments.
I saw many examples of that throughout this operation. There has been an enthusiastic approach to ‘getting the job done’ and I, for one, am extremely grateful for the commitment of everyone involved.
People across the UK have rejected the Tories hard Brexit plans
Six weeks ago when Theresa May called an unnecessary election no one could have imagined the outcome would be a hung parliament. The last six weeks have been nothing short of a disaster for Theresa May and her Tory party as people all across the UK have rejected their hard Brexit plans and refused to give them the larger majority they asked for.
Daily News 12 / 06 / 2017
Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Qualcomm’s proposed acquisition of NXP
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of NXP by Qualcomm under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has concerns that the transaction could lead to higher prices, less choice and reduced innovation in the semiconductor industry. The Commission’s initial market investigation raised several issues relating in particular to semiconductors used in mobile devices, such as smartphones, and in the automotive industry. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “We use our electronic devices every day – mobile phones or tablets. As semiconductors are used in practically every electronic device, we are dependent on them in those devices. With this investigation, we want to ensure that consumers will continue to benefit from secure and innovative products at competitive prices.” The transaction was notified to the Commission on 28 April 2017. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 17 October 2017, to take a decision. The full press release is available online in EN, FR, DE and NL. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Actelion by Johnson & Johnson, subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Actelion Pharmaceuticals by Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson and Actelion both develop and sell innovative pharmaceutical products. The Commission’s investigation focused on two areas where the medicinal products and research programmes of the two companies compete: (i) treatments for multiple sclerosis; and (ii) treatments for insomnia. The decision is subject to conditions ensuring that clinical development of their innovative insomnia drugs will not be adversely affected by the merger. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy commented: “Effective competition is important to stimulate research and development of innovative drugs, to the benefit of patients and our healthcare systems. Our decision makes sure that the development of innovative insomnia drugs will continue following the Johnson & Johnson and Actelion merger”. The full press release is available online in EN, FR, and DE. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Concentrations: la Commission autorise l’acquisition d’un immeuble de bureaux situé en France par Ardian et LaSalle
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition du contrôle en commun d’un immeuble de bureaux connu sous le nom de “Europa”, par Ardian France S.A., (“Ardian”) et LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”), tous trois basés en France. Europa est un immeuble de bureaux situé à Levallois-Perret en France. Ardian est une société d’investissement privé et de gestion d’actifs. LaSalle est un gestionnaire d’investissements immobiliers entièrement détenu par le groupe Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. La Commission a conclu que l’opération envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème concurrentiel compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L’opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.8494. (Pour plus d’informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini travels to Norway for the Oslo Forum
On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 June, the High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini will travel to Norway for a bilateral visit as well as to participate in the Oslo Forum. Ahead of the Forum, on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, the High Representative will have bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister of Norway, Børge Brende, the former U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi. On Tuesday, the High Representative will participate in a joint press briefing at 9:15 before joining the Forum’s opening panel, which will be moderated by Foreign Minister Brende and comprise the Foreign Minister of Jordan, Ayman Al Safadi, Foreign Minister Zarif, Foreign Minister Marsudi, and former Secretary of State Kerry. The panellists will address the topic of “Peace-making in a new era of geopolitics”, and will reflect on the emergent set of challenges mediators face in responding to the changing face of conflict. While in Norway, the High Representative/Vice-President will also visit the island of Utøya in order to pay her respects to those who lost their lives in the attack of July 2011. Coverage of the visit will be available on EbS. More information on the European Union’s relations with Norway, Iran, and Indonesia can be found online. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)
Commissioner Moscovici in Berlin
Commissioner Moscovici travels to Berlin this morning where he contributes to a panel discussion entitled “The Compact with Africa: Opportunities for long-term stability and growth” at the G20 Africa Partnership Conference which takes place today and tomorrow. This G20 initiative aims to support a reliable financial framework in order to increase investment opportunities, push for a more sustainable infrastructure as well as create jobs and employment in African countries, thereby contributing to the African Union Agenda 2063. While in Berlin, the Commissioner will also have meetings with Mr Sigmar Gabriel, Federal minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor of Germany and with Mr Martin Schulz, President of the Social Democratic Party. (For more information: Vanessa Mock – Tel.: +32 229 56194; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183)
Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
Sharp fall in EU nurses coming to UK
There has been a sharp fall in nurses from EU countries registering to work in the NHS, new figures have revealed.
The Health Service Journal reports that monthly statistics show the number of EU nurses registering with the NMC to work in the UK peaked at 1,304 in July 2016, a month after the referendum, before falling to 344 in September 2016 and then to just 46 in April 2017.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb said: “These figures are profoundly worrying and the possible implications for the NHS and patients cannot be underestimated. The government has to face up to the impact their refusal to guarantee EU citizens to remain in the UK after Brexit is having. It is a political choice they have made and it is going to harm our services, in particular the NHS.
“The government must now change this decision. The result of the election last week gives them the opportunity to change their mind, and they now must. Liberal Democrats are clear that EU citizens whose lives are now rooted in the UK must have the right to stay”.