GCHQ boss reveals Brit spies foiled FOUR terror plots in Europe last year in warning shot to EU over Brexit security threats
Jeremy Fleming said the UK had played a critical role in disrupting major operations, after EU boss Michel Barnier said that after we leave we can't take part in key security cooperation
VITAL intelligence from Britain has helped foil four terror plots against Europe in the last year, GCHQ's boss revealed today.
Jeremy Fleming said the UK had played a critical role in disrupting major operations, firing a warning shot to stubborn Brussels bosses who say they will boot us from working together on security after we leave.
On the first anniversary of the Finsbury Park terror attack, he stressed that other European countries had benefited from our expert intelligence that we shared with them.
After discussions at Nato headquarters, he said: "We’ve played a critical role in the disruption of terrorist operations in at least four European countries in the past year. Those relationships, and our ability to work together, save lives.
"That will continue after Brexit, for the benefit of the UK and our partners across Europe."
Just hours earlier EU boss Michel Barnier said that after we leave we can't take part in key security cooperation projects that keep us all safe - because we'll be outside the bloc.
The politically charged comments are incredibly rare for GCHQ's boss to say in public.
But in recent months Mr Fleming has been more outspoken, laying into Russia after the Salisbury attack for their "reckless" behaviour.
He was speaking today after holding talks with Nato's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, the UK's European commissioner, Sir Julian King, and 29 other Nato ambassadors.
He insisted that our excellent relationships with other intelligence agencies should continue after Brexit.
Mr Fleming added: "We’ve worked with our European colleagues to share understanding of how to protect our democratic elections. And we’ve unmasked aggressive behaviour in cyberspace to better help businesses and citizens protect themselves.
"For example by joining with others to attribute NotPetya to Russia".
Theresa May has repeatedly called for Britain and the EU to continue to work together in security matters after we leave - because it will benefit everyone and keep as many people safe as possible.
But Mr Barnier said earlier that key areas - such as the European arrest warrant, EU databases, or the decision making boards of Europol - won't be available to us after we leave.
In a gloomy speech earlier today the EU's chief negotiator slapped down Theresa May's plea for a special deal on security cooperation, telling her there is no "magic wand" solution.
Speaking in Vienna today he said the UK "cannot expect member states to continue cooperating" on security unless it signs up to strong safeguards.
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And he told the PM that the Brexit talks are being stalled by a lack of "realism" about what kind of relationship we can have with the bloc.
Mr Barnier said: "The European Arrest Warrant is linked to the free movement of people. It works well because it is based on mutual trust between Member States.
"Yet today we know that the UK is not ready to accept the free movement of people, the jurisdiction of the Court and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
"This means that the UK cannot take part in the European Arrest Warrant."
Speaking at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, he insisted the UK would have to settle for a "streamlined" version of existing third country cooperation instead.
Last night the EU sparked fury when they said they would refuse to give Britain a deal on security unless it vowed to keep us tied to the European Convention of Human Rights.
But Number 10 immediately hit back, suggesting the Commission's hardline approach would "weaken" security cooperation and goes against the will of the Member States.