HOLYROOD has voted against putting the integration of transport policing in Scotland on hold.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr had told MSPs it is “time to pause” the merger, labelling as “unachievable” the planned April 2019 date for the full integration of British Transport Police (BTP) north of the Border with Police Scotland.
He urged MSPs to back a review to examine whether the aims of the merger can be reached in an alternative way with “fewer risks” and highlighted the importance of railway policing to public safety, particularly terrorism.
Senior officers from Police Scotland and BTP have said the forces would not be fully integrated by the deadline.
Kerr said Police Scotland is undergoing a “challenging” period and that the merger faced difficulties over pensions, terms and conditions, cross-border policing and budgets.
In a Holyrood debate, he said: “The merger might be a good idea. It might deliver the kind of seamless police service and cost savings that ministers clearly believe it will but it has to be done right.
“It is clear that the integration date is unachievable.”
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said BTP already relies on the single force for key anti-terrorism support in Scotland and that there is a triple-lock guarantee on pensions and terms and conditions.
MSPs voted by 59 to 57 in favour of the Conservative motion, as substantially amended by the Scottish Government to remove the call for a pause.
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