MP: smuggling could become more lucrative after brexit

Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott has challenged "Brexit Minister" David Davis on the issue of smuggling in a post-brexit UK.

Tom Elliott, MP for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, has challenged the Minister for Exiting the EU on how he intends to put a stop to additional smuggling of goods across an open border following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The former Ulster Unionist party leader questioned David Davis in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon.

"I appreciate the Secretary of State’s point about an open border with the Republic of Ireland, given that four counties of the Republic of Ireland border my constituency, but how does he envisage stopping the smuggling that may take place after Brexit?" Tom Elliott asked.

In response, the MP for Haltemprice and Howden said that it was a "very good" but "difficult question".

"The simple truth is that we have to make a judgment, as is the case with all borders of that nature," he continued. 

"Norway and Sweden have a good example of an open border, as do Canada and America. There are small-scale movements, but big-scale movements can be found and dealt with," he added.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP seemed nonplussed by the answer, stating that David Davis "struggled to have an answer to the question" and that there was "much work to be done" in the intervening period before the UK starts negotiating its exit and eventually leaving the European Union.

At the Tory Party conference earlier this month, the Prime Minister Theresa May stated that Article 50 (the starting gun for exit negotiations with Europe) would be triggered before March of next year.

Mr. Elliott says it's this period that poses the greatest risk, in terms of smuggling and illegal trade in border areas.

"When Article 50 is triggered, we will have two years before the UK is out of the EU whilst the Republic of Ireland remains. It is inevitable that this situation will provide many opportunities to those who wish to flout the law by smuggling goods across the border," he said.

"Minister Davis and his Department must ensure that on the day we leave the EU, Northern Ireland has a safe and secure border that does not impinge upon trade and free travel but ensures that illegal trading does not become an even more lucrative enterprise for criminals," he continued.

“The Minister struggled to have an answer to the question and resorted to saying that it works at other borders including between Norway and Sweden, so there is no reason it wouldn’t work between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Obviously much work to be done!"