Andrew Henry William Brons (NI). - Mr President, whilst this might not yet apply to the UK, there are issues of wider concern.

The substantive content of the proposal is completely sound. Suspects should indeed enjoy access to a lawyer as well as the other rights listed. However, in my view, there is no need for EU legislation, and indeed such legislation would not satisfy the need completely. The EU is not – not yet at least – the whole world and people travelling internationally do not restrict their visits to other Member States. What is needed is not EU legislation but an international treaty encompassing as many countries as possible throughout the world, to the effect that the rights listed should apply with reciprocity to all countries that are signatories.

I cannot help feeling that this proposal is not so much about the rights of the suspect, with EU legislation being the means. It is much more about extending EU legislation competence and the rights of the suspect are simply a means to an end.