By Macer Hall, Daily Express
KENNETH Clarke sparked fury last night after he said there was “not the faintest chance” of withdrawing Britain from Europe’s Human Rights Convention.
Outspoken Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said the document – along with the European Court of Human Rights – had “advanced” standards across Europe despite concerns about a string of controversial rulings imposed on Britain by European judges.
His outburst appeared to conflict with the Tory election pledge of a new UK Bill of Rights to curb Europe’s influence on British law.
And after last month’s riots, the Prime Minister said he would act to stop courts’ powers of punishment being wrecked by rulings from the European Court of Human Rights.
David Cameron said: “What is alien to our tradition – and now exerting such a corrosive influence on behaviour and morality – is the twisting and misrepresenting of human rights. We’re working to develop a way through the morass by looking at creating our own British Bill of Rights.”
Mr Clarke told the Commons said: “Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, the convention has acquired new importance in making sure we support those advancing standards in eastern and central Europe. There isn’t the faintest chance of the present Government withdrawing from the Convention on Human Rights.”
Answering Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn who asked about the new Bill of Rights, Mr Clarke’s remarks sparked angry scowls from Tories. In response, Labour MPs shouted: “Watch out behind you.”
Mr Clarke then tried to blame the Government’s stance on human rights law on the Lib Dems, saying: “Have a look at our Coalition Agreement.”
Last night, Tory MP Priti Patel said: “These are alarming and deeply unhelpful words from Ken Clarke. European judges are riding roughshod over Britain at the moment.” Ukip’s Nigel Farage said: “Millions of people across the country will see the Government for what it is.”
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