Smugglers may exploit border if no Brexit deal

This news has been read 11210 times!

Bonds will endure: Royals

LONDON,Oct 24, (Agencies): Smugglers and other organized criminals are likely to exploit gaps in border enforcement if Britain leaves the European Union without an agreement, a watchdog warned Wednesday, amid a growing chorus of warnings about the disruptive impact of a “no-deal” Brexit.

Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but London and Brussels have not reached an agreement on divorce terms and a smooth transition to a new relationship. The stalemate has heightened fears that the UK might leave without a deal in place, leading to chaos at ports and economic turmoil.

The National Audit Office said in a report that political uncertainty and delays in negotiations with the EU have hampered preparations for new border arrangements, and the government is now racing to bolster computer systems, increase staffing and build new infrastructure to track goods.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and King Willem- Alexander of the Netherlands have both urged their countries to look beyond Brexit to a shared future as the Dutch monarch and his wife pay a state visit to the UK. In a rare mention of Britain’s impending EU exit, the queen said at a Buckingham Palace banquet that Britain was looking toward “a new partnership with Europe,” and said that as “innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future.”

Flight disruption and chaos for both travellers and cargo could result from a no-deal Brexit, the global airline industry body IATA warned on Wednesday, calling on UK and European Union aviation authorities to work towards maintaining connectivity. In related news, PM Theresa May praised the relationship between the Netherlands and Britain as she held talks Wednesday with the Dutch king and queen on the second day of a state visit. May said she hopes the state visit of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will “reinforce our partnership as we work together in so many different areas.”

Willem-Alexander told May their meeting indicates that Brexit not disrupt the two country’s long-standing ties. “It reinforces that whatever the future may bring, we will always be North Sea neighbors, always be allies (and) friends,” he said.

At a gala state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night, Elizabeth and Willem-Alexander also emphasized that their countries’ strong bonds will persist after Brexit.

In a rare mention of Britain’s impending divorce from the EU, the queen said that Britain was looking toward “a new partnership with Europe,” and said as “innovators, traders and internationalists, we look with confidence to the future.”

This news has been read 11210 times!