Menu
22/10/2009
Tory Attack On 'Political' DPP
Tory members have criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for allegedly politicising his role.
Keir Starmer had publicly stated his opposition to Conservative plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
The party responded by suggesting Mr Starmer had exceeded his official capacity by making his views known.
Tories have continued to insist the current Human Rights Act favours criminals and made it clear they would abolish the laws should they be elected to power.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said any move rested with democratically elected representatives.
Jack Straw, the minister responsible for justice matters, put his support behind Mr Starmer, claiming the Conservatives' proposals only made a "mockery" of their so-called progressive politics.
"What Mr Starmer has said underlines what Dominic Grieve knows but daren't say: that Tory plans make no sense at all," he said.
"The Tories' dogmatic opposition to the Human Rights Act makes a mockery of their claims to be progressive."
Last week Mr Starmer dismissed claims the Act was a 'criminals' charter'. He said the rights enshrined in the act were basic and fundamental.
"It would be to this country's shame if we lost the clear and basic statement of our citizens' human rights provided by the Human Rights Act on the basis of a fundamentally flawed analysis of their origin and relevance to our society."
(PR/GK)
Keir Starmer had publicly stated his opposition to Conservative plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
The party responded by suggesting Mr Starmer had exceeded his official capacity by making his views known.
Tories have continued to insist the current Human Rights Act favours criminals and made it clear they would abolish the laws should they be elected to power.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said any move rested with democratically elected representatives.
Jack Straw, the minister responsible for justice matters, put his support behind Mr Starmer, claiming the Conservatives' proposals only made a "mockery" of their so-called progressive politics.
"What Mr Starmer has said underlines what Dominic Grieve knows but daren't say: that Tory plans make no sense at all," he said.
"The Tories' dogmatic opposition to the Human Rights Act makes a mockery of their claims to be progressive."
Last week Mr Starmer dismissed claims the Act was a 'criminals' charter'. He said the rights enshrined in the act were basic and fundamental.
"It would be to this country's shame if we lost the clear and basic statement of our citizens' human rights provided by the Human Rights Act on the basis of a fundamentally flawed analysis of their origin and relevance to our society."
(PR/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 November 2011
Quality Of Elderly Care Breaching Human Rights
An inquiry into the treatment of the elderly by the 'home care' system has found the quality of care was in breach of human rights.
Quality Of Elderly Care Breaching Human Rights
An inquiry into the treatment of the elderly by the 'home care' system has found the quality of care was in breach of human rights.
19 September 2003
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
01 October 2015
New Consumer Rights Act For Digital Content Introduced
A new Consumer Rights Act has been introduced covering digital content, giving customers downloading music or buying ebooks new legal rights. The new Act has been created as shoppers increasingly spend money on digital content, with more than £2.8 billion spent on downloaded music, video and games in 2014, up 18% from the previous year.
New Consumer Rights Act For Digital Content Introduced
A new Consumer Rights Act has been introduced covering digital content, giving customers downloading music or buying ebooks new legal rights. The new Act has been created as shoppers increasingly spend money on digital content, with more than £2.8 billion spent on downloaded music, video and games in 2014, up 18% from the previous year.
24 March 2005
Ethiopian army branded ‘murderers and rapists’
The Ethiopian military has committed widespread murder, rape and torture against the Anuak population since December 2003, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released today.
Ethiopian army branded ‘murderers and rapists’
The Ethiopian military has committed widespread murder, rape and torture against the Anuak population since December 2003, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released today.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
