Brexit will make capital vulnerable to terror, warn Labour heavyweights

Four former home secretaries today warned that Brexit from the European Union would make Londoners “less safe” and the capital “more vulnerable” to terrorist attacks.

The Labour heavyweights claimed there was “no doubt” among security experts that international co-operation through the EU helped protect London.

Jack Straw, Charles Clarke, Jacqui Smith and Alan Johnson — who between them set UK security policy for almost a decade — said leaving would pose a “serious risk”.

They highlighted the EU’s role in sharing information across member states, implementing tougher controls at airports and enforcing the European Arrest Warrant (EAW).

Their high-level intervention followed warnings from Boris Johnson that staying in the EU would make it harder to identify terrorists and keep the bloc safe.

Mr Johnson claimed that EU rules were “prejudicial” to British counter-terrorist surveillance and the ability to deport terrorists.

The senior Labour politicians, however, raised the case of Hussain Osman, who had fled to Italy after taking part in the failed terrorist attack on London in July 2005.

He was extradited from Rome in less than two months due to the EAW, found guilty of conspiracy to murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

In a statement, the former home secretaries said: “There is no doubt amongst security experts that international co-operation through the European Union contributes to Londoners’ safety.

"The EU helps keep Londoners safe by sharing information across member states, implementing tougher controls at airport security and through the European Arrest Warrant.”

More than 7,000 suspected criminals have been deported to Europe as a result of the warrant while more than 1,000 who fled to the Continent have been returned to face justice.