13TH JULY 2010: This was my contribution this morning to a debate in LIBE on European Agencies* , acting in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice.

"Perhaps, rather than relying completely on the work of agencies* to ensure our internal security, we should try to remove the causes of some of these security threats.

"Firstly, we should bring our influence to bear to cease the continuation of existing wars against Muslim countries, such as that against Afghanistan, and to prevent new wars being started such as the planned war against Iran. These wars only encourage violent activities and violent intentions among some Muslims at home and abroad. You will notice that I did not use the word radicalise, which might include non-violent as well as violent dissent.

"Secondly, we should avoid adopting partisan policies towards the Middle East that result in European countries being seen as protagonists in that dreadful conflict.

"Lastly, we should avoid importing people from countries that provide a disproportionate number of terrorists and people involved in organised crime.

"These preventative measures would be better than acclimatising ourselves to ever more repressive policies against all of us: suspects and non-suspects alike."

* agencies such as Eurojust, Europol and COSI (the internal security committee)