New measure to improve border security says Alfred Cannan

The chief minister has announced the establishment of a new 'specialised border agency'.

Alfred Cannan was responding to a question at the start of this month's sitting of Tynwald put forward by Onchan MHK Julie Edge.

Ms Edge asked what, if any, measures had been considered following 'recent events in Belfast' where a knife attack led to several days of violent unrest.

A man suffered lifechanging injuries as a result of the attack and a Sudanese man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder.

Announcing the move, regarding the new border agency, Mr Cannan said no intelligence had been received to suggest an increased threat to the Island's security since those events.

'Delivered in two phases'

Mr Cannan told the court: "Two weeks before the events in Belfast, the Council and Ministers concluded that we could not afford to stand still and that we should strengthen our capabilities further in order to work more closely and effectively with partner agencies, including the UK Border Force and equivalent bodies in the Channel Islands and Ireland.

"It is right and opportune today that I announce to honourable members that the Council of Ministers will support the Treasury through Customs and Immigration to develop a specialised border agency to improve border security, immigration control, compliance enforcement and strengthen our presence at points of entry.

"This will be delivered in two phases.

"Phase one will be to establish a borders division within Treasury and to develop out the full operating model and phase two will be to seek approval for that model and proceed to full implementation.

"This will include full policy and governance arrangements, ministerial oversight, structure, budgets, statutory responsibility and data and intelligence sharing proposals.

"Funding for phase one of £1.2 million pounds has been approved from the Economic Strategy Fund.

"The phased approach is deliberate, it allows government to move at pace where action is needed, whilst ensuring that the final structure, accountability arrangements and legal framework are properly developed.

"Honourable members will be further updated on these matters in due course.

"Mr President, the Isle of Man economy will continue to need inward migration to support skills shortages, develop our private sector and inward investment and sustain public services, but we must also have public confidence in our controls, enforcement and capabilities to respond to abuse and emerging threats.

"Mr President, this government, with total support and endorsement, continues to keep security and the safety of our Island as a top priority.

"In taking steps to further enhance our border security, we are acting to protect the integrity of our immigration systems, strengthen our controls at entry points, improve security co-ordination across government and beyond, but also to ensure that the Isle of Man remains open and secure."