Brussels, 08/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - According to several reports in the British media this weekend, the British minister responsible for immigration, Teresa May, is expected on Tuesday to announce the United Kingdom's decision to opt out of justice and home affairs (JHA) issues by spring 2014. Cecilia Malmström's spokesperson has refused to make any comment on the matter. Michele Cercone pointed out that this “a decision by a member state” that is completely in keeping with the treaties. The United Kingdom will have to officially notify its withdrawal from JHA policies before June 2014. According to the Guardian, May will announce the United Kingdom's decision this week to cease participation in Europol, the EU's police co-operation agency, beyond 2015. The United Kingdom disagrees with the reform proposed by Malmström in March, which seeks to merge the European Police College (CEPOL) with Europol and give the latter more powers. The United Kingdom has, from the outset, contested this reform, which, indeed, has also failed to win the backing of the European Parliament. The Parliament believes that it will give Europol too much power over national police forces. (SP/transl.fl)