An MP has condemned European Union (EU) leaders saying they are taking security measures for granted during Brexit negotiations.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics London show Romford’s Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell made the comments in response to Labour MP Neil Coyle’s criticism of Theresa May’s handling of the Brexit negotiations.
Mr Coyle said intelligence sharing should remain a part of the UK’s relationship with Europe.
He said: “The government is not being honest about the cost and consequences of what’s happening and the dangers and the risks ahead of not having a deal in place in the next two years.
“To see the UK government using security as a bargaining chip in these negotiations is frankly sickening.”
Defending Mrs May, Mr Rosindell said: “The prime minister is highlighting the importance of getting security arrangements and bilateral agreements in place.
“She is actually emphasising the importance of this. The EU is almost taking it all for granted – and I don’t think they should.
“I think we need to work together with our European friends and make sure all people of Europe are safe and secure.”
Mr Coyle, who represents Bermondsey and Old Southwark, continued:
“Businesses are saying they don’t know what the cost of exporting or importing will be, they’re saying they have seen a drop in the pound already. People are losing their jobs.”
But Mr Rosindell added that now Article 50 has been invoked Remainers should accept the decision and the UK should get on with it.
In a video clip shown on the programme by the MP outside his constituency office, Margaret Thatcher House, Western Road, Romford, on the day Article 50 was triggered Romford’s MP said: “There’s a feeling of contentment that we are back in the driving seat.
“It wasn’t just about immigration, it was about sovereignty.”
Mr Coyle responded: “Andrew has more waffle than Belgium.”
The comments came after Mrs May referred to security in her Brexit letter.
She wrote: “In security terms, a failure to reach agreement would mean our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened.”
Speaking on Andrew Marr’s politics show, defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said it was important to link trade and security as the government was looking to create a special partnership with the EU.
He added that failure to reach a deal would make the EU less secure.
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