Some worrying analysis from Richard Dearlove, a former head of MI6, on the government's Brexit agreement with the EU.
Quote:
We have on occasion been willing to make favourable noises about the Common Security and Defence Policy. But in reality we have always put Nato first, relied primarily in defence on our bilateral links with the US and regarded “Five Eyes” (the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) as our crucial intelligence and security alliance.
A close examination of the “administrative agreements” and “participation criteria” suggests that when they are taken together they require full subordination of the UK to the EU defence rule book. That means the draft withdrawal document actually commits us to a European defence role without any say in its formulation, and would effectively end the UK’s successful policy of denying the European Commission the development of a military or security role.
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https://www.ft.com/content/d1e17788-...8-d36339d835c0