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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Britain fails to sign letter from nine European powers demanding reform of ECHR as pressure mounts on Attorney General Lord Hermer
Britain has failed to sign a letter from a string of countries demanding reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all said there was a need to 'look at' the influence of Strasbourg judges. The leaders of the nine countries penned an open letter calling for 'more freedom'. They suggested the ECHR, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights, was limiting their ability to 'make political decisions in our own democracies'. But the UK's signature was absent from the letter despite Attorney General Lord Hermer recently calling for Britain to lead efforts to reform international agreements. Senior Tory MP Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, accused Lord Hermer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of hypocrisy. He told The Times: 'Starmer talks about reforming the ECHR, but his actions tell a completely different story. 'This shows Hermer's comments last week were a cynical ploy to give the impression Labour want to be part of the solution, when really they're helping to defend a broken system that stops us controlling our borders.' The nine countries suggested the ECHR, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights, was limiting their ability to 'make political decisions in our own democracies' In a speech last week, Lord Hermer had argued that 'British leadership to strengthen and reform the international rules-based system is both the right thing to do and the only truly realistic choice'. But the Attorney General also sparked fury with his address by comparing calls for the UK to quit the ECHR - as Mr Jenrick wants - to events in Nazi Germany. Lord Hermer subsequently said he 'regrets' the remarks and acknowledged his 'choice of words was clumsy', although he rejected the 'characterisation of his speech by the Conservatives'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called on Sir Keir to sack his Attorney General, claiming that Lord Hermer 'believes in the rule of lawyers, not the rule of law'. In their open letter, the nine European leaders said there was 'a need to look at how the European Court of Human Rights has developed its interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights'. 'We believe that the development in the Court's interpretation has, in some cases, limited our ability to make political decisions in our own democracies,' they wrote. 'And thereby affected how we as leaders can protect our democratic societies and our populations against the challenges facing us in the world today. 'We have seen, for example, cases concerning the expulsion of criminal foreign nationals where the interpretation of the Convention has resulted in the protection of the wrong people and posed too many limitations on the states' ability to decide whom to expel from their territories.' Their letter stated that the 'safety and stability of our own societies should have the highest priority', adding: 'We believe that we should have more room nationally to decide on when to expel criminal foreign nationals.' It continued: 'We need more freedom to decide on how our authorities can keep track of for example criminal foreigners who cannot be deported from our territories. 'Criminals who cannot be deported even though they have taken advantage of our hospitality to commit crime and make others feel unsafe. 'We need to be able to take effective steps to counter hostile states that are trying to use our values and rights against us. For example, by instrumentalising migrants at our borders.' 'We want to use our democratic mandate to launch a new and open minded conversation about the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights,' the leaders said. 'We have to restore the right balance. And our countries will cooperate to further this ambition.' The Attorney General's Office said in a statement: 'We have seen the initiative led by Denmark and Italy and are committed to a clear framework and fair balance for the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the context of migration. 'Tackling illegal migration is a key priority for this Government.' One Government source blamed the omission of Britain from the list of signatories on Brexit and suggested the letter had been arranged at an EU meeting.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Nigel Farage told me exact moment he decided to run for PM – now he's marching to No 10 but EVERYTHING'S about to change
WHAT a difference a year makes. Just 365 days ago Nigel Farage was all but retired, sitting out the General Election. 2 2 As the BBC put it, he had 'announced that he wouldn't try to win a seat in Parliament. . . prompting a reporter from The Sun to tease him that he was a chicken'. A year ago to the day, he blew all that up. 'I remember it very well,' he told me over the weekend. 'I was sitting at home, I'd been thinking hard for 48 hours about it. I had a group call and I just said, 'F*** it, I'm doing it. Find me a venue for tomorrow, please'.' In an age of backtracks, that might just go down as one of the most important U-turns in British political history. He insists it was more a sense of guilt — 'a feeling I was letting people down' — behind the decision as well as the 'gap in the political market' that saw a dying Tory Party and a uniquely uninspiring Labour who were set to win by default out of pure hatred of the Conservatives. Either way he was right — and eighth time lucky an MP. Fast forward a year and he is edging a double-digit lead in the polls, nudging that crucial 30 per cent of the vote that could, remarkably, see Reform UK form the next government. Farage's keen instinct for the political mood of the country appears to have been spot on. In Scotland, where Farage was forced to hide in a pub 12 years ago from a nationalist mob, Reform look set to push Labour into third place at a by-election this week — to the bewilderment of the cosy Holyrood establishment. We absolutely know that Sir Keir Starmer was in 'serious mode' when he launched his latest salvo against Nigel Farage If you don't believe the numbers, just look at the reaction from his rivals. Struggling Kemi Badenoch's Opposition leadership has never got off the ground due to the massive looming menace on her right flank. Her attempts to mimic Reform have fallen flat, while her attempts to ridicule them just drive ever more disillusioned Tories into their arms. And a Labour PM — who not only inherited the fastest- growing G7 economy and on-target inflation, propped up by a state broadcaster and cheered on by the chattering classes — should still be enjoying a Blair-style honeymoon. But instead, after ten months, Sir Keir Starmer leads the most unpopular government in British polling history. And he's in a right flap, as Reform not so much parks its tanks on Labour's lawn but napalms the entire village. The PM's attempts to paint Farage as a Putin patsy who wants to sell the NHS have flopped, as will attempts to brand him out of touch with working-class voters — who voted Reform in droves just last month. 'I hope nothing changes,' says Farage. 'I hope Kemi stays, I hope Starmer keeps obsessing about me, the poor bloke — he'll have to go see a psychiatrist before too long. 'It has way exceeded in the space of a year even my most optimistic expectations.' Teddy bears' picnic But he would be mad to rest on any laurels yet. Everything IS about to change. The fight is only getting started, and Reform has a very long way to go before asking the people of Britain to hand this untested and unknown political force the keys to No10. There is still a minimum of three years until another election, and in any election contest the last place you want to be is out front early, with a giant target on your back. Old Dominic Cummings warned darkly this week that the deep state is already gearing up to trash Reform and protect the old system of the established parties doing what they are told. Parties, government departments, newsreaders, quangos, think-tanks, unions, charities — you name it — will all line up in an onslaught that will make the battle against Brexit, and latterly Boris Johnson, look like a teddy bears' picnic. And Farage agrees, though he hopes: 'I don't really think those voters that have come to us already actually give a damn about this stuff.' But he needs to win over plenty of waverers, too. So everything possible will be escalated to stop that happening and if the Government and their pliant friends across the establishment get their message right, that poll lead could start to look rather soft. So is it wise of Farage to be giving his opponents ammunition this early in the cycle? I make the arguments I believe in, and when I start they are usually minority arguments but I'm generally good at bringing people with us. Nigel Farage This week, Reform's first foray into detailed policy away from immigration gave their opponents their first real straw to grasp at in months. Some 59 per cent of Reform voters and 42 per cent of Labour voters support keeping the two-child benefits cap for larger families. Labour MPs may want the PM to scrap it, but from what I hear that is still far from a done deal, amid concerns the Government is walking into a trap on increasing benefits for foreigners who tend to have more kids. But punching the bruise of the division in Labour, Farage declared Reform would abolish it, as well as take anyone earning under £20,000 out of paying income tax and reinstate all Winter Fuel Payments. He insists it's about more than just money, boldly claiming he's 'not a populist'. He said: 'I make the arguments I believe in, and when I start they are usually minority arguments but I'm generally good at bringing people with us.' But it was a multi-billion-pound spending pledge made in seconds that has drawn easy comparisons to Liz Truss's relaxed attitude about making the sums add up. Farage insists both parties don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to dodgy maths and more detail is coming on what he would cut — but he has clearly given them both some flesh to target when they were struggling to land blows Harry Cole Right on cue came the Institute for Fiscal Studies, lapped up by the BBC, who Farage accuses of 'now criticising every thing we do'. He added: 'Well, ask the question, who funds them? The Government.' Dodgy maths He's not wrong there, with the apparently independent fiscal think-tank receiving £13million of taxpayer funding over the past five years. But simply saying 'scrapping Net Zero ' will cover the costs of these massive pledges is fag- packet maths and a free gift to his struggling opponents. Farage insists both parties don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to dodgy maths and more detail is coming on what he would cut — but he has clearly given them both some flesh to target when they were struggling to land blows. Which leads me to the other problem Reform faces, relating to numbers and the road to No10. With just five MPs, they can barely fill a taxi let alone a Shadow Cabinet table. Farage plans to step back from much of the day-to-day media, promoting party figures like Richard Tice and Zia Yusuf instead. And the hunt is on for 'high-profile' outsiders to stand for the party as an alternative government at the next election, before they even have a seat in the Commons. Well, why not start that process right now? Solve two numbers problems in one go and appoint a prominent, respected and credible figure to be Reform's Shadow Chancellor.
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Labour's Attorney General forced to backtrack on Nazi comparison following fury at ‘pathetic' comments
LABOUR'S Attorney General has been forced to backtrack on an incendiary jibe that calls to quit international law treaties were like Nazi Germany. Lord Richard Hermer today said he 'regrets' his 'clumsy' language while making the attack on Tory and Reform MPs wanting to quit the European Convention on Human Rights. 1 His outburst yesterday left even his own colleagues fuming at the 'unbelievable' comparison between his political rivals and the rise of Third Reich fascism. One Labour MP told The Sun the Cabinet Minister's remarks were 'pathetic, childish and out of touch." Lord Hermer used a speech on Thursday to warn the 'siren song' of some MPs pushing for Britain to break with elements of international law is 'not a new song'. He added it was a 'claim that was made in the early 1930s by 'realist' jurists in Germany most notably Carl Schmitt', who was a leading Nazi ideologist. The Tories branded his comments 'appalling' and Reform said it showed him 'unfit to be Attorney General'. Mounting pressure this afternoon saw Lord Hermer forced to issue a semi-apologetic statement. His spokesman said: 'He rejects the characterisation of his speech by the Conservatives. He acknowledges though that his choice of words was clumsy and regrets having used this reference.' Labour insiders are privately furious with Lord Hermer's comments, which marked the latest spell of controversy for the Attorney General. A senior party figure said: 'What planet was he on when he thought pressing the Nazi button was in any way appropriate? It's just unbelievable.' Lord Hermer - a friend of Sir Keir Starmer from their days as human rights barristers - has faced previous criticism for representing Gerry Adams and fighting to block migrant deportations.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Ex-Tory MP will face no further action over allegations of rape, police confirm
FORMER Tory MP Crispin Blunt will face no further action over an allegation of rape, police have confirmed. The ex-justice minister, 64, was detained in October 2023 on suspicion of the sex attack as well as possession of a controlled substance. Dad-of-two Blunt was suspended by his party and told to stay away from Parliament. He denied wrongdoing and accused the person behind the allegation of attempted extortion. Yesterday Surrey Police confirmed there was insufficient evidence to proceed over claims of rape. Mr Blunt, who stood down as MP for Reigate last year, remains under investigation for drug possession. A second man, in his 50s, is being investigated for the same alleged offence. A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: 'An investigation was launched following a report of rape in October 2023. 'Extensive enquiries have been carried out and a man in his 60s and a man in his 50s were arrested on 25 October 2023 in Horley in connection with the offence. 'It has since been determined that there is insufficient evidence to proceed and that no further action will be taken against either of the men in relation to the report of rape. 'However, both men will remain under investigation on suspicion of possession of controlled substances pending further enquiries. "Enquiries into this matter are ongoing."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Presiding officer accused of 'blatant bias' after throwing Tory MSP out of debating chamber
Holyrood's Presiding Officer is facing claims of 'blatant bias' after former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was thrown of out the chamber without a warning. Mr Ross said it was 'absolutely' clear that former Green MSP Alison Johnstone was favouring Nationalist politicians over Unionist ones. It followed a stormy First Minister's Questions in which several Tory MSPs demanded clear answers from John Swinney on his Government's Net Zero policies. Mr Ross, who has been ticked off for heckling on previous occasions, shouted 'Deflection from Swinney again' when Mr Swinney digressed onto Brexit. The part-time football referee was immediately given the red card. 'Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders,' Ms Johnstone said. 'I ask you to leave the chamber; you are excluded for the rest of the day.' Mr Ross appeared not to grasp what was happening and had to be asked to leave again. It was the first expulsion of an MSP from the chamber in five years. A Conservative spokesman said: 'The Presiding Officer has shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others. 'We will be seeking discussions to reiterate that the Presiding Officer should not show blatant bias.' Mr Ross, a Highlands & Islands MSP, later said Ms Johnstone was having a 'controlling effect' on the chamber and there was a constitutional factor involved. He said: 'You've got to look at Alison Johnstone formerly being a Green Party member, saying that she would leave her party allegiances at the door, but taking very different approaches to Nationalist politicians who step out of line compared to Unionist politicians who step out of line.' He cited her letting Mr Swinney call the Tory party 'a disgusting organisation' earlier this month, a phrase Tory leader Russell Findlay was not allowed to repeat, and added: 'Since then she's done nothing to prove to me that she is going to be neutral.' Mr Ross stopped short of demanding an apology, but said Ms Johnstone should 'reflect' and 'regret her immediate kneejerk reaction' and the lack of warning. He said: I'm looking at all the options, but the ball is in the Presiding Officer's court'. A Parliament spokeswoman said: 'The Presiding Officer has warned Mr Ross on repeated occasions recently about his behaviour in the Chamber. 'Due to his persistent refusal to respect the rules of Parliament, the Member was asked to leave the Chamber.' Mr Swinney's spokesman said the FM did not think Ms Johnstone was biased. Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said Mr Ross had been 'provoking' the PO for weeks, hoping to get thrown out 'in a cynical bid for relevance', adding: 'She was quite right to eject him.'
