The Home Secretary has been accused of “tinkering around the edges” over potential reform of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Shabana Mahmood told MPs the Government will bring in new laws that will limit the power of Article 8 of the ECHR, which gives rights to a family life.
It has been claimed by opponents that Article 8 has been used by illegal migrants to stay in the UK. But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said in a debate in the House of Commons: “Doesn’t she accept that tinkering around the edges simply won’t work? Now she said in her answers a second ago that she wants to see the ECHR reformed.
“But her own attorney general, Lord Hermer, said just four days ago that ECHR reform is ‘a political trick’.
“So perhaps she and the attorney general should get themselves on the same page, given her own attorney general says reform is not possible.
“Doesn’t she agree … that more fundamental changes are needed, because this year has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel, up 38% compared to last year.
“Only radical change will fix this mess.
“So will she back the Conservative plans to completely disapply the Human Rights Act and ensure all illegal immigrants are immediately removed upon arrival?”
Ms Mahmood, who was promoted from justice secretary earlier this month, replied: “He says we’re tinkering at the edges. He could not be more wrong. We have a proper plan to look at legislative reform.
“But frankly, tinkering at the edges would have been fantastic under them, because actually their own track record is they did frankly nothing, sod all, sod all in 14 years and suddenly they’ve found their reforming instincts now they’re in opposition.
“It’s this Government that will take forward domestic as well as international reform.”
The number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel has topped 30,000 for the year so far.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since figures on the crossings were first reported in 2018.
The first deportation flights of migrants under the UK’s new returns deal with France are expected to begin this week.
