Kemi Badenoch must commit to pulling UK out of ECHR if Tories return to power, says ex Cabinet minister
KEMI Badenoch must commit to pulling the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights if the Tories return to power, a former Cabinet minister says.
The Conservative leader has so far resisted calls to leave, despite saying she would review all immigration policies.
Former Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay has now said the UK cannot fully stop illegal Channel crossings unless it quits the Strasbourg court.
He wrote in the Telegraph yesterday: “Secure borders will not be delivered whilst porous legislation remains.
“Until the law is watertight in stopping the army of human rights lawyers, it will not stop the flotilla of small boats.
“The Conservative Party must not shy away from accepting what is required to make this change.”
Ms Badenoch had criticised Tory leadership rival Robert Jenrick last summer for promising to exit the ECHR.
But she is under pressure from senior Tories to form strict migration policies to win back voters from Reform UK.