U.K.-U.S. relations ever strong

Nowhere is this shared purpose clearer than in the untiring work of the British and American police, security and intelligence services to fight extremists who would use crime and violence to pursue their warped agendas. The successes and sacrifices of our counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, organized crime and border-security teams can rarely be recognized publicly, but they remain on the front line performing the first duty of government: to protect citizens. Their work allows people to go about their daily lives freely and with confidence, and they deserve our deepest commendation. 

Like all strong and special relationships, ours thrives on candor. I have enjoyed fruitful discussions with Secretary Napolitano, Attorney General Holder and Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan, among many others, on a range of issues of shared interest, including the U.K. government’s approach to countering the threat from terrorism. 

{mosads}Many Hill readers will know that in July, I launched a review of existing U.K. counter-terrorism and security legislation, which will deliver its findings in the autumn. There is a widespread concern in the UK, which I share, that things have gone too far, that counter-terrorism powers are being misused and that important civil liberties have been eroded. Without wishing to prejudge its outcome, the review is designed to shape legislation that is effective but also proportionate, focused and transparent. Government must uphold its duty to protect national security, but it must not unduly interfere with people’s rights and freedoms. 

Police powers to stop and search people without any suspicion are being examined. Control orders, the detention of terror suspects before they are charged and the measures against organizations which promote hatred or violence also fall within the review’s remit, as do the non-terrorism surveillance powers available to neighborhood-level authorities. The review will also examine how we can increase deportations with assurances, arrangements that allow the U.K. to deport foreign nationals who threaten our security, to countries where there are guarantees that they will not be tortured.   

The Prevent program, which aims to stop people, including British citizens, from becoming terrorists in the first place or supporting violent extremists, is also being examined. That we need a preventative element to our counter-terrorism strategy is not in question, but I want to ensure it is properly focused. I will be announcing further details on this work shortly.

These areas make up some of the U.K.’s most sensitive and controversial counter-terrorism and security powers. Where it is clear that powers need to be rolled back, they will be. Where laws need to change, we will change them.  

But whatever the outcome of this important work, my message is clear: Our commitment to and cooperation with our most important partners in tackling the threats we face will not waver. 

Aside from counter-terrorism, I have been interested to hear about the U.S. administration’s evolving work on organized crime and narcotics. Only through a systematic multilateral approach to these issues and by sharing resources can we mount an effective challenge to transnational criminal activity that distorts our economies and ruins lives. I am pleased that there is broad agreement on developing our drugs research evidence base for example and I look forward to evolving cooperation in this area. 

There have also been productive discussions about how to make police forces accountable to the people they serve. I will introduce legislation in the next parliamentary session to pave the way for directly elected police and crime commissioners. In bringing forward this great change, we in the U.K. have much to learn from the successes and challenges of U.S. policing models.

As I leave Washington for New York, one thing is abundantly clear: Our special relationship is not a figure of rhetoric; it is a matter of action and tangible results. The United Kingdom has no closer friend and ally than the United States and long may it continue.

Theresa May is the British Home Secretary.