Angela Constance
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Patients deserve better. There have been active campaigns by members across the chamber to represent the views of constituents in Lanarkshire, including by my colleagues Neil Gray and Fulton MacGregor. I fully appreciate the strength of feeling on the need for a new Monklands hospital.”
“Proceeding in that cost envelope would significantly limit our ability to invest in services and infrastructure across the wider NHS. I have carefully weighed the opportunity cost against our objective on improving public services. The current proposal also raises important questions about value for money.”
“For the wider system, it will reduce pressure on acute hospitals, allowing focus on those who need specialist care most. I can announce today that, as part of the programme, specifically for Lanarkshire, we will begin with a new general practitioner walk-in facility in Lanark—transforming an old shop front and a retail park in the town ce…”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to provide an update to members on NHS capital projects, specifically on the current position and next steps for the Monklands replacement project. I begin by being absolutely clear: the Government will deliver a new Monklands hospital. That commitment has not changed and it will not change.”
“During the election campaign, the Scottish National Party promised to increase use of the new refugee doctors project, which is meant to help medically trained refugees from Gaza and other places to get registered for work in the national health service.”
“Scotland welcomes refugee doctors and is committed to supporting them in overcoming barriers that prevent them from rebuilding their medical careers.”
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“Decisions on sentencing are for the independent courts. Custody is available as a disposal when the person who is sentenced is under 25 years of age. The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 also permits the use of custodial sentences for under-18s. While the sentenced person is under 18, their sentence cannot be served in a young offenders institution and is instead served in an age-appropriate setting such as secure accommodation. If an individual’s sentence extends beyond their turning 18, the remainder of the sentence will be served in a young offenders institution and prison, as appropriate. Roz McCall: The public expect absolute clarity on what steps can be taken in the criminal justice system to bring the most serious offenders to justice, regardless of their age.”
“The International Court of Justice has insisted that Israel takes all steps to prevent the crime of genocide and it has ordered Israel to ensure access for relevant United Nations bodies so that the crime can be investigated. As the member will appreciate, decisions on prosecution in Scotland are for the Lord Advocate and the Crown Office, which would require reports to be received by a reporting agency to make any further considerations. “Sentencing Young People” Guideline 7.”
“Given that the Metropolitan Police’s war crimes unit has received a dossier of evidence that accuses 10 British citizens of committing war crimes, including the targeted killing of civilians and aid workers, what action can the Scottish Government take to ensure that the provisions of the 2001 act are followed through and ensure the safety of our communities when we potentially face war criminals living among us? Angela Constance: I hope that the member appreciates that the Scottish Government is a firm believer in the rule of law both domestically and internationally. The International Criminal Court has four international obligations in relation to war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. As a Government, we support any investigation into crimes against humanity and genocide.”
“Although it is crucial that Scotland has the ability to prosecute international crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, any decision to initiate proceedings against any individual is a matter for independent operational partners and is not for the Scottish Government to comment on. Mark Ruskell: What we are now seeing on a daily and hourly basis coming from Gaza is evidence of war crimes being committed by members of the Israel Defense Forces.”
“Although the current review that I have commissioned is focused on deaths in custody, I say to Mr Lumsden that any wider learning points from the review will be given due consideration in a broader context.”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that, when someone commits murder just hours after release from prison, there have obviously been failures and that the criteria for a statutory FAI must be widened to cover such situations? Angela Constance: Mr Lumsden has been a keen advocate on behalf of his constituent Sandra Geddes, whom I had the pleasure of meeting as a result of an intervention from Mr Lumsden when the bill that became the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 was going through Parliament. There were a number of changes at that time in and around throughcare standards in legislation and the imperative nature of good release planning.”
“A focused review in relation to deaths in custody was commissioned in January this year in order to allow a swift response to the recommendations for improvements to be made to the fatal accident inquiry system as it relates to death in custody. Douglas Lumsden: The question concerned deaths outside of custody settings. In 2019, Aberdeen father and good Samaritan Alan Geddes was murdered by a man who had been released from prison just hours earlier. In 2023, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland released its damning report, which highlighted a list of failures in the run-up to the release of Stuart Quinn. If Government agencies had acted differently, the outcome could have been different. Alan’s sister, Sandra, continues to fight for answers, and the case is crying out for a fatal accident inquiry.”
“They use those powers and have successfully extracted 900 weapons from citizens, 200 of which have been from young people. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will need a bit more brevity in the questions and responses.”
“Angela Constance: Although there has been demonstrable progress in the reduction of crime and violence, including in offending behaviour by young people, I appreciate that that will be of no comfort to victims and families and it is important to recognise that that progress is not always felt in communities. It is therefore important that we acknowledge recent concerns and changes in the behaviour of some young people. It is important to recognise that most young people are law-abiding citizens. With respect, I say that the member can keep his “soft touch” rhetoric. I am interested in the evidence about what works for now and in the future, and I am not interested in revisiting debates of the past on interventions that have not worked. I am strongly of the view that police have adequate stop and search powers.”
“The number of children possessing knives is up 15 per cent among 11 to 15-year-olds and 14 per cent among 16 to 18- year-olds. In recent weeks, police have been called to a primary school to deal with a child carrying a knife, and, tragically, a 16-year-old lost their life on Irvine beach after a fatal stabbing by another teenager. Clearly, the Scottish National Party’s soft-touch approach to justice is not working. Is it not therefore time to back the Scottish Conservatives’ calls for more stop and search powers to tackle the epidemic of youth violence?”
“I am, of course, concerned about any reports of increases in violence. Although Police Scotland has advised that the total number of serious assaults by 11 to 18-year-olds fell by 27 per cent between 2019-20 and 2024-25, there has been an increase in serious cases in schools—from six to 40. Our approach to tackling violence among young people is focused on education programmes on the unacceptability of violence, effective punishment for offences, appropriate police powers and sustained school and community engagement with young people. To show our continued commitment to tackling violence, I am also pleased to say that I have increased funding to the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit by 7 per cent. Its total funding will be in excess of £1.2 million. Alexander Stewart: Serious assaults by teenagers continue to rise.”
“The importance that I place on the Caledonian system is demonstrated by the increase in funding for this budgetary year—which means £10 million over two years. We are also supporting local authorities in improving information technology. Other risk assessment tools, such as the spousal assault risk assessment tool, are attached to the programme. We will continue to support the roll-out of the Caledonian system, notwithstanding the fact that local authorities in some areas have chosen to use other programmes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I ask Pauline McNeill to be brief.”
“That is why my Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill would increase the uptake of rehabilitation courses for domestic abusers. The Scottish National Party’s 2021 manifesto said that it would “also increase ... work ... to change attitudes of offenders ... by ensuring that the Caledonian Project is available nationwide.” However, the Government now says that the programme has been rolled out to only 21 of the 32 local authorities, with just two more expected by the end of the year. Does the cabinet secretary agree that access to rehabilitation programmes such as the Caledonian system should be guaranteed and available everywhere in Scotland? Angela Constance: I certainly agree on the value and importance of the Caledonian programme. It is important to recognise that some local authorities use other programmes.”
“The Caledonian system is currently delivered in 21 of 32 local authority areas, covering over 70 per cent of the population. The Scottish Government is committed to rolling it out further; by the end of this year, two more areas—Shetland and Angus—will begin training to deliver the Caledonian system, which will take the figure up to 23 areas. The Scottish Government has just written to all local authorities, detailing a change to the funding distribution and providing details of a £1.4 million increase in the Caledonian system funding line. We will also be engaging with all local areas to provide central support and training for those areas that wish to move to delivering the Caledonian system. Pam Gosal: Rehabilitation is key to preventing reoffending.”
“For information, the SFRS’s maternity leave is currently 26 weeks on full pay and 13 weeks on statutory maternity pay, and there are some other flexibilities. I should say that the SFRS went beyond the collective agreement by extending it to support staff. The issue is obviously very live for the FBU. It is important to say that there are particular operational procedures for pregnant and breastfeeding firefighters, particularly as they cannot participate in operational duties because of risks of contamination. Health and Social Care Workers 3.”
“Women firefighters in Scotland also get paid more than £16,000 less in maternity pay than those in many services south of the border. Will the cabinet secretary commit to putting in place 52 weeks of full pay for firefighters on maternity leave as part of the SFRS’s strategic service review programme? Angela Constance: Maternity pay, like firefighter pay and terms and conditions, is negotiated on a UK-wide basis under well- established procedures for collective bargaining, which I know that the FBU and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remain committed to. The member has raised an important matter. The health and wellbeing of staff, along with their terms and conditions, are crucial matters for the employer. I am very much aware of the calls that the FBU made on 7 May.”
“The pay and conditions of firefighters are negotiated on a United Kingdom-wide basis through established collective bargaining procedures. The Scottish Government is not part of those negotiations, which are rightly a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the employer. I know that the Minister for Victims and Community Safety discussed maternity leave when she met Scottish Fire Brigades Union officials on 15 May. Maggie Chapman: The FBU’s “Fight for 52” maternity survey report makes for stark reading. Firefighters are not able to decontaminate properly before going home to breastfeed or must stop breastfeeding early or not breastfeed at all, because there are no safe ways to continue doing so after returning to work.”
“We have engaged substantially with Mr Mountain and his constituents on the framework for collaboration. I would be happy to receive more detail on the specific information that he received on Police Scotland having no forms. I am cognisant that Police Scotland, like all partners, is often reliant on other partners sharing information, and that is why the framework for collaboration is so important in relation to people in the same multi-agency space sharing information. I am more than happy to engage further with”
“Subsequent to that meeting, I have identified that the police had no forms of concern relating to the accused, who had been previously arrested. The families and I have looked at the mental health and policing framework for collaboration and seen little that would compel the police to liaise more closely with partners such as national health service boards and councils. What guarantee can the cabinet secretary give to assure the families that Police Scotland will learn from that incident and ensure that there is more joined-up action in future? Angela Constance: I am very grateful to Mr Mountain for facilitating a very humbling but also very informative meeting with him and his constituents who are the family members of victims of a very serious crime.”
“It is my understanding that Police Scotland shares information with other statutory bodies in a manner that is lawful, necessary and proportionate and is fully in line with data protection legislation, human rights obligations and safeguarding duties. That can include circumstances in which there is a clear risk to life, safety or wellbeing. Protecting vulnerable individuals is a core priority for Police Scotland. Its three-year plan makes it clear that ensuring that people in crisis or distress receive the right support at the right time from the right service is central to how it operates. This Government fully supports that ambition. Edward Mountain: I thank the cabinet secretary and the Deputy First Minister for meeting me and the families of the individuals who were killed or injured in Inverness in 2020.”
“Angela Constance: The short answer is that the reason for the increase is very effective enforcement by Police Scotland and the successful campaigns that it has run, particularly around the festive period. Police Scotland has spoken to around 25,000 drivers to further promote the aims of, for example, the festive campaign and it has informed people about how they can easily identify drink and drug drivers. This is a good example of appropriate legislation being in place, followed up by enforcement action as well as awareness raising. Legal Aid (Rural Areas) 7.”
“I recognise that there has been a rise in the number of people who have been prosecuted and convicted for drug driving offences in recent years, both in the Highlands and Islands and at a national level. The increase follows the introduction of a new drug driving law in 2019 and a focused enforcement approach by Police Scotland in tackling the scourge of drug driving. Emma Roddick: There are active efforts to go above and beyond the current guidance to spot drug driving and there are on-going pilots of road testing. Does the cabinet secretary think that the higher statistics on drug driving are a result of such efforts and that they should therefore be replicated in other areas? What more can be done to raise awareness of the harm of drug driving and the ways in which the police and the justice system as a whole can deter it?”
“Our criminal law needs to be clear and unambiguous, and the remaining time in this parliamentary session is short. We will, of course, consider how we take forward further work, recognising the gendered nature of misogynistic harm, over and above our commitments in the programme for government. As I have already committed to, I will take further action. Women and girls need protection, which is why, in September, I will introduce new legal protections for women and girls by adding the protected characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, so that women and girls have the same protections as other groups that are protected under the act. I hope that that will be welcome. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I have a number of supplementaries, and I will try to get them all in. Ideally, they will be brief.”
“Elena Whitham: The First Minister has advised that, with his regret, the legislation to protect women and girls from misogynistic abuse will not be taken forward in this session. The cabinet secretary will know that that advice has been devastating to me as a former women’s aid worker for women’s organisations across Scotland and to my constituents in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. Does the cabinet secretary appreciate the depth of disappointment in that regard, and what reassurances can be provided to women and girls at this time, given that we are seeing an exponential rise in misogynistic harms? Angela Constance: I appreciate the depth of feeling. Many members will recognise that misogyny is a complex area of policy and law.”
“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the Government. Our programme for government maintains progress on the equally safe delivery plan. We are developing an approach to honour- based and extended family abuse. We are supporting schools to equip young people with the skills to counter the impacts of online hate, including misogyny, and we are piloting specialist independent legal advice for complainers in rape and attempted rape cases. Subject to parliamentary approval, we are introducing domestic homicide and suicide reviews, abolishing the not proven verdict, and establishing a sexual offences court and a victims and witnesses commissioner.”
“However, will the cabinet secretary now urgently commit to coming clean about how much that hat trick of humiliation has cost Scottish taxpayers, and will she explain to the Parliament who is going to carry the can for those decisions? Angela Constance: Like all Governments, the Scottish Government is necessarily involved in litigation, given the range and importance of its responsibilities. Sometimes we are defenders and sometimes we are pursuers of cases. The outlays that are incurred in litigation are, like any other cost of Government, subject to rules about public finance, decision making and accountability. Legal work is, of course, an integral part of the commitment to maintaining the rule of law at the heart of Government. Abuse of Women and Girls 5.”
“I meet the Lord Advocate regularly on a range of issues, including cases that are being considered by the United Kingdom Supreme Court. The focus of my discussions with the Lord Advocate is not on the costs involved. Craig Hoy: The justice secretary cannot or will not put a final number on how much taxpayers’ money has been wasted on the Scottish Government’s Supreme Court defeats, but I will give her some numbers: three nil against this Government and its law officers in the highest court of the land. Why the Scottish National Party Government decided to waste taxpayers’ money on cases that common sense dictated would fail, as the Scottish public knew that they would, is beyond comprehension.”
“There have always been particular myths about rape, including that it is predominantly targeted towards younger women, yet we know that, historically, women over the age of 40 are at risk to the same degree. I will endeavour to get far more granular and up- to-date information to Ms Clark and the”
“There have been suggestions that there has been an increase in the number of rape reports from very young women and girls. Does the cabinet secretary understand that to be the case, or is it something that she is looking at? Angela Constance: It was remiss of me not to say to Ms Clark in response to her first supplementary question that we work, and will continue to work, with all partners across the justice system—in particular, the police, the Crown Office and the courts—to understand the specific underlying factors. Victim support organisations that we work with and support will have a perspective on the issue that will add to the fundamental facts and the profile of victims and witnesses. There are concerns that, due to the nature of offending, including online offending, a wider range of women are now affected.”
“We know that underreporting was historically an issue, and, currently, it remains an issue. Any endeavour that improves the situation and encourages more victims and witnesses to come forward is to be welcomed. Therefore, my answer is that it is a bit of both. Am I concerned that sexual offences remain underreported? Yes. Am I also concerned about the prevalence of sexual offending in society? Yes, absolutely. Katy Clark: It would be interesting to hear from the cabinet secretary on another occasion whether the Government is doing any work to look at the underlying trends. What information can the cabinet secretary give about the profile of women who are reporting rape—for example, does it tend to be younger women or older women? Have there been changes to that profile in recent years?”
“Ultimately, however, it is the people who perpetrate violence and abuse—the majority of whom are men—who must change their actions and behaviour. It is only through fundamental societal change that women can be protected. Katy Clark: Does the cabinet secretary believe that there has been a rise in the number of rapes in society in recent years, or does she believe that the increase relates to higher levels of reporting, as she mentioned? Is the Scottish Government doing any work to get a better understanding of whether there has been an increase in sexual violence, particularly given some of the challenges that we face? Angela Constance: I very much thank Ms Clark for her topical question. That has been a conundrum that many of us have wrestled with.”
“Sexual violence is abhorrent, which is why we are taking robust action through the equally safe strategy; focusing on prevention; ensuring that perpetrators are held to account; and improving our laws, such as through the current Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which would introduce a sexual offences court. I am, of course, concerned by any rise in the number of new rape cases being reported. There are multiple potential factors behind that, including a greater willingness of victims to come forward. I very much want people to have continued confidence in reporting such crimes, and I encourage victims and survivors to access support services, which is why we have increased funding to Rape Crisis Scotland’s national advocacy project to more than £6 million over the next three years.”
“Before we move to the next item of business, there will be a brief pause to allow a change of members on the front benches. United Kingdom Government Welfare Reforms”
“What action can be put in place to ensure that the lives of hard-working prison officers are protected? Angela Constance: It is a fair and valid point. I will point to three specific actions among many that are being taken. There are measures to improve infrastructure, such as the piloting of the implementation of new window grills in some of our larger establishments. There are targeted reactive measures that involve the piloting of covert technology to detect when a drone is approaching or entering SPS airspace. There is also the drone detection pilot called Dedrone, which ended earlier this year. SPS is currently exploring other software and technologies that are on the market. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs.”
“The use of drones to introduce illicit items into our prison estate is a current and credible threat, and it is one that the Scottish Prison Service and I are taking very seriously. I am pleased to inform the member that the Scottish Prison Service has been trialling preventative measures to negate the risk that is presented by drones and it is evaluating their effectiveness before finalising a targeted approach to this clear and obvious threat to safety in our prisons. Alexander Stewart: Information obtained from prisons shows that criminals are increasingly using state-of-the-art technology to avoid security. One drone was found to be full of mobile phone SIM cards, syringes and needles, together with tablets and suspected drugs. Violence among inmates will be an inevitable consequence of drone deliveries.”
“Angela Constance: I express my on-going appreciation to Mark Ruskell and to other MSPs including Alexander Stewart and the constituency MSP, Keith Brown, for pursuing the issue constructively and with sensitivity. I reassure the member that I will be meeting the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service after portfolio questions and that we discuss the matter regularly. E-bike Misuse 6.”
“However, the quality of the building absolutely is in question, and there needs to be an absolute cut in the noise disturbance. I have three constituents who have sold houses as a result of that in recent months, others who have declining mental health and others who have simply given up because they do not believe that change is coming. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that the programme will be accelerated, that the trial noise reduction measures will be put in place immediately, that the planning application to make the measures permanent will be lodged immediately and that a clear date for the completion of the project will be provided, as she has already outlined?”
“I am aware that the member attended a constructive meeting at HMP and YOI Stirling on 24 March to discuss the matter directly with Scottish Prison Service senior officials, during which SPS provided a comprehensive update on solutions. Scottish Prison Service proposals that are now in the final stage will change how particular rooms have access to fresh air. A timeline for the project is being developed and it will be shared with the member and other local representatives, including the local residents association, as soon as possible. SPS will then seek final comments prior to seeking formal planning permission from the local council. Mark Ruskell: I absolutely welcome the work that SPS staff do at HMP Stirling—that is not in question at all.”
“The cashback programme currently supports 16 projects and helps more than 3,000 young people in”
“It is crucial to reinforce the message—as he has done—that Police Scotland has given the people of Edinburgh and those elsewhere that it is in pursuit of criminals. They are being tracked down. Police Scotland is on it and has made arrests, but I cannot say anything more about live proceedings. It is crucial that the police have our full support, because although they will always rise to the challenge, everyone needs to play their part by providing information to the police. People can do that anonymously via Crimestoppers. It is also crucial that multiple agencies are focused on prevention. I mentioned the cashback for communities programme, and many other programmes are active in the Edinburgh area. I would be happy to provide information on those to Mr Macpherson or any other member.”
“The Parliament will be aware of the reports in recent weeks and months of the very serious situation in central Scotland, including in my constituency, with targeted instances of organised crime related to gang violence. Police Scotland is doing a remarkable job in Edinburgh, and I pay tribute to it and thank it for its actions and updates. However, I have had a concern for some months about the number of young people who are getting involved in gang-related crime in my constituency, in this city and across central Scotland. Building on the investment that was mentioned in a previous answer and the cashback for communities programme, is there any more resource for youth work providers at this really difficult time? Angela Constance: Ben Macpherson raises an important point.”
“Disrupting organised crime groups, diverting individuals away from organised crime and reducing the harm that is caused by organised crime to individuals, communities and organisations remain priorities for the Scottish Government and its partners. Partnership working is a crucial part of the approach to tackling organised crime, as set out in Scotland’s serious organised crime strategy. The serious organised crime task force, which I chair, brings together law enforcement partners and representatives from the public, private and third sectors. The Scottish crime campus at Gartcosh enhances collaboration between key partner organisations in detecting and disrupting serious organised crime and terrorism. Ben Macpherson: I thank the cabinet secretary for all the on-going, important and impactful work that is taking place.”
“YouthLink Scotland works to co-ordinate and deliver the no knives, better lives training programme and resources to support, crucially, front-line practitioners, and the delivery of the Medics Against Violence navigator programme helps individuals and families to access the services that they need. The learning from that work is shared with others. Gang-related Crime 8.”
“What steps is the Government taking to support organisations that are working in that area to collaborate, strategise and share learning? Angela Constance: I am thankful for the multiple organisations that are working extremely hard nationally and locally to tackle the root causes of gang-related activity. The organisations that we are funding through the violence prevention framework are working with local communities and multiple organisations, including in place-based work that is undertaken by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow.”
“We have invested more than £6 million over three years to support the implementation of the violence prevention framework. That includes supporting Medics Against Violence to engage with young people on the consequences of violence, and YouthLink Scotland to deliver the no knives, better lives training programme to hundreds of practitioners and young people across Scotland. Through our cashback for communities initiative, we have provided £130 million since 2008 to support young people who are most at risk at being involved in violence, antisocial behaviour or crime. To date, the programme has reached around 1.3 million young people in Scotland. Evelyn Tweed: Organisations across Scotland are working hard to tackle the root causes of the rise in gang-related activity.”
“It is important to recognise that, as a result of the correct planning that took place with the 2025 act and the earlier emergency release provisions, the return-to-custody rates were lower than the reconviction rates.”
“What is she putting in place to ensure that our communities are safe? Angela Constance: With respect, I advise Mr Eagle that, given that Scotland’s prison population is in excess of 8,100, there is nothing soft about our justice system, but the reality is that it could certainly be smarter in rehabilitating people and, when appropriate, shifting from the use of custody to the use of custody disposals. As I said in my original answer, it is now many decades—more than 20 years—since the system in which additional days were added to someone’s sentence ceased. We have to remember that our prison rules are subject to legal challenge. Nonetheless, they are always kept under review.”
“The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025 allows most short-term prisoners to be released from prison after serving 40 per cent, instead of 50 per cent, of their sentence. A breach of prison rules does not form part of the exclusion or eligibility criteria for a person’s release from custody, as the process of using prison rules to amend a person’s liberation date ceased in 2001. Tim Eagle: Figures that were uncovered by the Scottish Conservatives revealed that almost a fifth of prisoners who were released as a result of the Scottish National Party’s early release scheme broke prison rules while serving time. Our communities are rightly worried about the heightened risks of reoffending that come with that. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is important that we do not have a perceived soft- touch justice system?”
“I reassure the member and Parliament that I have written to the UK Government and that I am following an internal process within the Scottish Government on this very important matter. As soon as I am able to, I will inform Parliament of our next steps on it.”
“What steps has the cabinet secretary taken since the Scottish Conservatives revealed the scale of the problem to find out who those people are and to ensure that those who have changed their name in the past two years are being monitored properly? Angela Constance: There are very strict requirements for registered sex offenders. I am sure that all members will appreciate and accept that Police Scotland takes its obligations in that regard very seriously. There is an important matter to consider here, particularly with regard to the Crime and Policing Bill. I am very mindful of the need, at times, for consistency across these small isles and across borders, particularly on sensitive matters of policing.”