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Starmer wants rethink on international law to tackle migration | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Watch: Starmer says he will "look again" at human rights laws | |
Sir Keir Starmer has said his government will look again at international law to meet the challenge of "mass migration". | Sir Keir Starmer has said his government will look again at international law to meet the challenge of "mass migration". |
The prime minister gave the clearest sign yet the government is planning a major overhaul on the use of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in immigration cases, but insisted he would not pull the UK out of existing treaties. | The prime minister gave the clearest sign yet the government is planning a major overhaul on the use of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in immigration cases, but insisted he would not pull the UK out of existing treaties. |
His comments came after his home secretary set out plans to tighten rules for migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain during a Labour Party conference focused on how to beat an insurgent Reform UK. | His comments came after his home secretary set out plans to tighten rules for migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain during a Labour Party conference focused on how to beat an insurgent Reform UK. |
Sir Keir told Radio 4's Today Programme "we need to look again at the interpretation" of a wide range of international laws by UK courts. | Sir Keir told Radio 4's Today Programme "we need to look again at the interpretation" of a wide range of international laws by UK courts. |
Sir Keir warned that laws must be "applied in the circumstances as they are now" before adding that countries were experiencing "mass migration in a way that we have not seen in previous years". | Sir Keir warned that laws must be "applied in the circumstances as they are now" before adding that countries were experiencing "mass migration in a way that we have not seen in previous years". |
To meet this new challenge "we need to look at again at the interpretation of some of these provisions, not tear them down", he said. | To meet this new challenge "we need to look at again at the interpretation of some of these provisions, not tear them down", he said. |
On the issue of deportation, he was asked about the example of a Brazilian paedophile who successfully claimed he would be treated worse in a Brazilian prison than he would in a British prison. | On the issue of deportation, he was asked about the example of a Brazilian paedophile who successfully claimed he would be treated worse in a Brazilian prison than he would in a British prison. |
The prime minister drew a line between deporting someone to "summary execution" and claims based on worse healthcare or prison conditions abroad. | The prime minister drew a line between deporting someone to "summary execution" and claims based on worse healthcare or prison conditions abroad. |
"I believe that those genuinely fleeing persecution should be afforded asylum and that is a compassionate act," he added. | "I believe that those genuinely fleeing persecution should be afforded asylum and that is a compassionate act," he added. |
Pressed for details about what was blocking deportations of foreign criminals, Sir Keir cited Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR - which ban torture and protect the right to private and family life respectively. | Pressed for details about what was blocking deportations of foreign criminals, Sir Keir cited Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR - which ban torture and protect the right to private and family life respectively. |
"But it's more than that," he said, pointing to the UN's Refugee Convention, Torture Convention and Convention on the Rights of the Child as potential barriers. | "But it's more than that," he said, pointing to the UN's Refugee Convention, Torture Convention and Convention on the Rights of the Child as potential barriers. |
Ministers were already exploring ways to tighten the interpretation of some aspects of the ECHR to crack down on immigration. | Ministers were already exploring ways to tighten the interpretation of some aspects of the ECHR to crack down on immigration. |
In May, the government's immigration white paper promised legislation to "clarify" how the right to a family life in European human rights law should apply to immigration cases. | In May, the government's immigration white paper promised legislation to "clarify" how the right to a family life in European human rights law should apply to immigration cases. |
Before being made foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper ordered home officials to look into how courts used laws that halted deportations on torture grounds. | Before being made foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper ordered home officials to look into how courts used laws that halted deportations on torture grounds. |
Sir Keir's comments come after a Labour conference dominated by efforts to confront Reform UK. | Sir Keir's comments come after a Labour conference dominated by efforts to confront Reform UK. |
The prime minister used his keynote speech to cast Nigel Farage's movement as practising the "politics of grievance" and to position Labour as the party of "tolerant, decent" patriotism. | The prime minister used his keynote speech to cast Nigel Farage's movement as practising the "politics of grievance" and to position Labour as the party of "tolerant, decent" patriotism. |
He stopped short in the speech of repeating his attack on Reform's deportation proposals as "racist" but vowed to fight racist rhetoric "with everything we have". | He stopped short in the speech of repeating his attack on Reform's deportation proposals as "racist" but vowed to fight racist rhetoric "with everything we have". |
Sir Keir has also spent the conference contending with a provocative challenge to his leadership by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham who said Labour MPs had asked him all summer to return to Westminster and take over as prime minister. | Sir Keir has also spent the conference contending with a provocative challenge to his leadership by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham who said Labour MPs had asked him all summer to return to Westminster and take over as prime minister. |
Asked about internal challenges to his leadership, Sir Keir said he had "been underestimated every time" he had taken on a senior role. | Asked about internal challenges to his leadership, Sir Keir said he had "been underestimated every time" he had taken on a senior role. |
Despite this, "I pushed through the barriers," he said. | Despite this, "I pushed through the barriers," he said. |
Sir Keir told the BBC: "I didn't come into politics as some sort of popularity contest. | Sir Keir told the BBC: "I didn't come into politics as some sort of popularity contest. |
"I came in with one focus, which is changing my country for the better. | "I came in with one focus, which is changing my country for the better. |
"I'm proud to be prime minister, getting on with that work." | "I'm proud to be prime minister, getting on with that work." |
During a wide-ranging interview, Sir Keir also said it was "wrong" that thousands of young people remained out of work because of mental problems. | During a wide-ranging interview, Sir Keir also said it was "wrong" that thousands of young people remained out of work because of mental problems. |
"I'm not saying you don't and shouldn't have benefits for mental health issues but I do think we need to examine this quite carefully," he added. | "I'm not saying you don't and shouldn't have benefits for mental health issues but I do think we need to examine this quite carefully," he added. |
"I say it because if you are on benefits, in your 20s, it is going to be extremely difficult to get off benefits for the rest of your life." | "I say it because if you are on benefits, in your 20s, it is going to be extremely difficult to get off benefits for the rest of your life." |
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