Tory manifesto includes commitment to scrap the Human Rights Act

The Tory manifesto includes a pledge to scrap the Human Rights Act, and replace it with a “British Bill of Rights”.

Prime Minister David Cameron last year pledged to scrap the Human Rights Act if re-elected in next month’s election.

The PM announced plans at Conservative Party conference today to scrap the Human Rights Act and withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights, and replace both with a British “Bill of Rights”.

The Tory manifesto, unveiled by David Cameron today, reads: “The next Conservative Government will scrap the Human Rights Act, and introduce a British Bill of Rights. This will break the formal link between British courts and the European Court of Human Rights, and make our own Supreme Court the ultimate arbiter of human rights matters in the UK.

“We will continue the £375 million modernisation of our courts system, reducing delay and frustration for the public. And we will continue to review our legal aid systems, so they can continue to provide access to justice in an efficient way.”

The Tories’ calls to scrap the Act and leave the ECHR has been met with reservation from rights campaigners.

Kate Allen, the head of Amnesty International, last year said: “Disappointing to hear the PM vowing to scrap the Human Rights Act when it has done so much good. We should be defending it.”

Amnesty International UK is also launching a campaign to save the Human Rights Act.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, also commented last year saying: “Shame on the Prime Minister for citing Churchill, while promising to trash his legacy.”

The Conservative Party also pledged to extend pardons to gay men convicted of historic sex offences.

• Drag
• Jan 03

Start your engines! All 16 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race US ranked from worst to best