SNP accused of ‘nationalistic jingoism’ as federation appeals to make rail merger a security issue

A federation has accused the Scottish Government of failing to consider the full range of evidence ahead of a merger of railway policing and appealed for national security chiefs to review proposals.

Plans to combine Police Scotland and British Transport Police (BTP) in Scotland are being driven by the SNP’s “nationalistic jingoism”, according to BTP Federation chair Nigel Goodband.

Mr Goodband has requested that the merger be treated as a matter of national security – meaning it would be considered by the UK Parliament – and has appealed to the Department for Transport, the Home Office and the Prime Minister.

Explaining his decision, Mr Goodband accused the SNP of not sharing evidence that could advise against the merger.

The Scottish Parliament has completed a consultation process on the merger but has only produced an analytical report, with the full results kept confidential.

“We are not afraid to look at the evidence. We are not afraid to have our evidence judged,” he told the BTP Federation’s annual conference on Wednesday (March 22).

“But in the absence of any other evidence, I am forced to conclude that the Scottish Nationalist Party’s grab to control the Transport Police in Scotland is no more than a childish wish to play with their own train set.

“Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP aren’t interested in evidence. They will cynically take every opportunity to pursue their aggressive ideology even when it actually isn’t in the interests of Scottish rail passengers or their safety.”

One of the BTP Federation’s main concerns is that combining the two forces will dilute BTP officers’ specialist knowledge and skills.

Crime on the railways has dropped 39 per cent over the last ten years while passenger journeys rose 53 per cent, reaching 8.6 million per day last year.

Each BTP officer deals with a fifth more crimes than a Police Scotland officer, and the force has been consistently rated effective by HMIC.

Mr Goodband claims the merger would also negatively impact on Police Scotland, citing research findings that “a considerable number” would retire rather than face potential changes to pay and conditions.

He raised concerns that the force’s need to save £188 million by 2020/21 could lead to railway officers being used to “plug gaps” elsewhere in the service.

Addressing the conference, Mr Goodband also appealed for BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther to introduce mandatory referrals for mental health counselling and to give more officers access to Taser.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We greatly value the work of BTP officers and staff in keeping people safe.

“As Police Scotland has made clear, specialist railway policing expertise and capacity will be maintained and protected within the broader structure of Police Scotland, with improved access to wider support facilities and specialist equipment, providing an enhanced service provision.”

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.