Sunak Could Block Human Rights Act to Force through Rwanda Asylum Plan

THE GUARDIAN: No 10 has discussed possibility of ‘disapplying’ key human rights law to emergency bill to head off legal challenges

The prime minister is under intense pressure from the Conservative right to get the Rwanda scheme working. Photograph: Leon Neal/PA
Rishi Sunak is considering blocking a key human rights law to help force through plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda amid growing pressure from rightwing Conservative MPs.

No 10 has discussed the possibility of “disapplying” the Human Rights Act to an emergency bill in an effort to minimise legal challenges against the prime minister’s key immigration policy. Ministers are aware such a proposal could face rebellions in the Commons and the Lords, which could vote down the proposals.

A Conservative party source said: “This would tear the party apart. Several cabinet ministers and the one nationers would not stand for it – the prime minister wouldn’t even get it through the Commons. Never mind that this wouldn’t placate the head-bangers on the right either.” » | Rajeev Syal, Home affairs editor | Sunday, November 19, 2023

Is this man truly fit to govern us? – © Mark Alexander

Home Secretary: scrap the Human Rights Act

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Theresa May, the Home Secretary, risks an explosive rift inside the Coalition with an explicit call for the scrapping of the Human Rights Act.

Mrs May uses an interview with The Sunday Telegraph to warn that the Act is hampering the Home Office’s struggle to deport dangerous foreign criminals and terrorist suspects.

“I’d personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it,” she says.

The Home Secretary’s words will be cheered by many Conservative MPs as well as Tory ministers across Whitehall.

However, they are likely to be greeted with dismay by leading Liberal Democrats, some of whom have signalled the future of the Coalition would be under threat if any serious action was taken against the Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Continue reading and comment » | Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor | Saturday, October 01, 2011

Nick Clegg Asked to Help Deliver on Conservative Manifesto Plans to Axe Human Rights Act
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been given the job of helping to scrap the Human Rights Act, sparking anger among back-bench Conservative MPs.

The MPs are furious that Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg has been given the job of helping to deliver a key Tory party manifesto commitment.

The news has emerged on the day that Ken Clarke, the Justice Secretary, is being grilled by a cross party group of MPs about the Government’s human rights policy.

Mr Clegg has been a strong supporter of the Human Rights Act, stating in mid-May after the Coalition was established that he wanted to lead a campaign to ‘sell’ the legislation to a sceptical public.

He said in a speech: “We will be seeking to actively promote greater public understanding of the rights that people already enjoy. People simply aren’t aware of the rights which every citizen in the United Kingdom enjoys under legislation in force.” >>> Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor | Monday, November 15, 2010

Coalition Under New Strain Over Human Rights U-turn
THE INDEPENDENT: Fresh strains were showing in the new Lib-Con coalition tonight as senior Tory MPs expressed "dismay" that plans to overhaul the Human Rights Act had been put on a backburner.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg risked further antagonising Conservative backbenchers after he issued a warning that they tampered with the Act "at their peril".

The commitment to repeal the Act - which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights in UK law - and replace it with a British Bill of Rights was a key commitment in the Conservative manifesto.

But it emerged yesterday that the coalition Government had decided to set up a commission to look at the issue of whether there was a case for new British legislation.

The latest controversy flared as Mr Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron prepared to unveil the final coalition document tomorrow.

Tory MP Bill Cash - who, as shadow attorney general, had been instrumental in drawing up the original Conservative policy in opposition - said that he was "dismayed" at the latest developments.

He warned that there was "very acute" concern among Conservative MPs that the party's position was being watered down.

"I think our manifesto commitment was crystal clear. It said that we would replace the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One. >>> Andrew Woodcock, PA | Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Related article and videos here

Coalition Government: Conservatives Drop Plans to Scrap European Human Rights Act
THE TELEGRAPH: A Conservative pledge to rip up the Human Rights Act has been kicked into the long grass after Kenneth Clarke, the new Justice Secretary, signalled it was not a priority.

The Tories had promised to replace the act, which many believe protects criminals more than innocent people, with a UK Bill of Rights.

But Mr Clarke, who was appointed to head the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, suggested it was not high on the list of actions while the pledge was notable by its absence in the coalition agreement published this week.

In 2006, Mr Clarke attacked David Cameron over his “anti-foreigner” proposals to tear up the Human Rights Act, which was introduced by Labour, and said a Bill of Rights was “xenophobic and legal nonsense”.

And shortly after taking up his new Cabinet post, Mr Clarke said: “We are not committed to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, we have committed ourselves to a British Human Rights Act.

“We are still signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights. >>> Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor | Friday, May 14, 2010

Revealed: The Full Extent of Labour's Curbs on Civil Liberties
THE INDEPENDENT: Audit report highlights 'permanent erosion' of freedoms since 1997

The full extent of state powers to detain people without charge, cover up Government errors, hold the DNA of the innocent and share personal data between public bodies has been revealed in a devastating analysis of the erosion of civil liberties in Britain over the past decade.

Almost 60 new powers contained in more than 25 Acts of Parliament have whittled away at freedoms and broken pledges set out in the Human Rights Act and Magna Carta, according to a new audit of laws introduced since Labour came to power in 1997. The dossier, compiled by the Convention on Modern Liberty, criticises police powers to detain terror suspects for 28 days without charge, new stop-and-search powers handed to police (allowing them to stop people without reason at airports and other designated areas), and restrictions on the right of peaceful protest.

It is the first time such a picture of the erosion of rights under Labour has been published. The rise in surveillance in Britain is also documented, including new laws allowing individuals to be electronically tagged, and the legal interception of letters, emails and phone calls. >>> By Michael Savage, Political Correspodent | Friday, February 20, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Cameron: Scrap the Human Rights Act
DAILY EXPRESS: DAVID CAMERON yesterday stepped up his call for the hated Human Rights Act to be scrapped.

The Tory leader demanded action after Justice Secretary Jack Straw admitted the law had become a “villains’ charter” used by the courts to put the rights of criminals first.

Mr Cameron said the admission showed the Strasbourg-inspired Act needed to be replaced by a new British Bill of Rights more attuned to the country’s needs and traditions.

In a speech to mark the 60th anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr Cameron said: “We have seen a lack of proportion and common sense.

“I believe we now need a home-grown British Bill of Rights.” >>> By Macer Hall, Political Editor | December 9, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>