May threatens to scrap human rights laws

Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will scrap Britain’s human rights laws if necessary to implement restrictions on the freedom and movement of terror suspects.

Speaking at a rally in Slough, Mrs May set out what her government would do to tackle Islamic extremism if re-elected.

She said: “I mean longer prison sentences for those convicted of terrorist offences.

“I mean making it easier for the authorities to deport foreign terrorist suspects back to their own countries.

“And I mean doing more to restrict the freedom and movements of terrorist suspects when we have enough evidence to know they are a threat, but not enough evidence to prosecute them in full in court.

“And if our human rights laws get in the way of doing it, we will change the law so we can do it.”

But Mrs May’s pledge has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, including Liberty and Amnesty International.

Martha Spurrier, director of Liberty, said: “Our human rights laws are the legacy of World War Two, the brainchild of a Conservative Prime Minister and drafted by British lawyers. They’re a beacon of hope for those still fighting for basic rights elsewhere. And, most importantly, they continue to help ordinary people all over this country - from trafficking victims to the Hillsborough families.

“If Theresa May does what she threatens, she will go down in history as the Prime Minister who handed terrorists their greatest victory. For cheap political points and headlines, she is willing to undermine our democracy, our freedom and our rights – the very things these violent murderers seek to attack.

“All this and we’ll be no safer – our security services and police already have vast powers to tackle terror and hate speech and monitor those they suspect of doing us harm.”

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International’s UK section, said Mrs May’s comments were “reckless and misinformed”.

She added: “This is exactly the time that human rights must be protected and cherished, not attacked and undermined.

“Amnesty International will not stand by silently when threats are made to ‘rip up human rights laws’. Human rights are there to protect all in society - that is just pure common sense.

“Whoever is in government after the 8 June election must ensure our human rights are protected.”