Press and Photo Gallery
Commission's Intrusion into UK Criminal Law Would be Another Blow to UK Sovereignty
Wednesday, November 23 2005
BRUSSELS, 23 November 2005 -- Conservative leader in the European Parliament, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, today reacted with concern to a Communication by the European Commission which set out the wider implications of a European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision two months ago related to criminal sanctions for breaches of EU law.
The Communication follows an ECJ ruling against the Council's right to decide unanimously, under the so-called EU "third pillar", whether certain environmental offences should be criminalised across the EU. The Court ruled in favour of the Commission, which said that such decisions should be taken under the so-called "Community method" - that is, a co-decision procedure of approval by MEPs and a qualified majority in the Council.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"It was clear from the Commission's delight after the Court's ruling in September that it would waste no time in making full use of this massive extension of its powers.
"Many EU countries, including Britain, are vigorously opposed to the Commission's intrusion into criminal law. Far from being a shot in the arm for EU democracy, this is a serious blow to our right to decide these matters for ourselves."
ENDS
