Will Brexit make it harder for the British authorities to track terrorists?

Analysis: During the EU referendum campaign, Leavers claimed Brexit would make the UK more secure. Lizzie Dearden looks at whether they were right

Leavers argued that increased border control would make Britain safer, but officials say the loss of intelligence will make security worse (AFP)

Many pro-Leave voices during the EU referendum claimed that Brexit would make Britain more secure, arguing that increased border controls would allow jihadis to be shut out.

In the wake of terror attacks on mainland Europe, including some carried out by Isis fighters who had returned to the continent using false passports and hidden among refugees, the official Vote Leave campaign claimed Brexit was the “safer option”.

But all four fatal terror attacks launched in London and Manchester the following year were carried out by British nationals, with only the London Bridge attack involving foreign jihadis, from Morocco and Italy.