Minister commits to ‘rule of law’ at Oxford University event

Lord Richard Hermer, the Attorney General said the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is in the UK’s national interest and that the rules-based order should “act as a compass in these uncertain times”.

He made the comments yesterday (Thursday, April 23), at the Bonavero Institute in Oxford where he was speaking on stage to Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe which oversees the ECHR.

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While he stressed the government’s commitment to the treaty, Lord Hermer said its values must “develop and adapt”.

Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer (Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)

The Council of Europe is under pressure from a number of countries, including the UK, to change the way the laws apply in migration cases, notably in its Article 3 protection against inhuman or degrading treatment and the Article 8 right to a family life.

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Both articles have been used to prevent people with no right to be in the UK being sent back to their home countries.

Labour, unlike the Tories and Reform UK, is committed to remaining within the ECHR.

Lord Hermer told the Oxford event: “The international rule of law, deep concern to respect the human rights of all, should act as a compass in these uncertain times – I think most people in the world understand this, I think most people in this country want this.”