Stevenson Champions International Co-operation on Justice and Security

SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, has called for international cooperation on matters of justice and security.

Stevenson spoke during a Parliamentary debate in which he championed the need for international exchange of information, resources and skills. He went on to restate the dangers posed by technologically advanced crime and how combined international resources play a huge role in combating it.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,

“We cannot allow ourselves to be cut off from the world. New technology means criminality is becoming more about breaking cryptography and codes. It is about protecting our data – that is the very basis of our national security. If we are going to do that, we need to work internationally.

“People come from around the world to study at our universities, sharing both intellect and ideas. This is the kind of environment we need if we are going to counteract cyberwar and cybercrime. We need to make sure that we maintain links with European institutions and allow people to come here ­– giving us the multinational intellectual capacity to fight security problems over the internet.

“Scotland and the UK must continue to work internationally on issues of justice and security. We should not create additional meaning where there is none. People across the UK didn’t vote to leave the European convention on human rights – the brainchild of Winston Churchill. The ballot was not a vote to end working internationally on cybercrime or terrorism – therefore let’s not pretend it was.”