David Cameron delays plans to scrap the Human Rights Act
The new Conservative Government may have delayed a pledge to scrap the Human Rights Act in lieu of a British Bill of Rights.
David Cameron – who won a Parliamentary majority in this month’s general election – had pledged to “once and for all” repeal the Act last year, and his party included the move in its manifesto.
Ahead of today’s Queen’s Speech, however, the Prime Minister has delayed the introduction of the bill to scrap the HRA and replace it with a ‘British Bill of Rights’.
David Cameron appointed former education secretary Michael Gove as Secretary of State for Justice earlier this month – replacing Chris Grayling – and the minister will be responsible for pushing forward with the changes.
A Government source told the Times today that the plan was to get the Bill “right, rather than quickly”.
It is unclear whether the Bill will be introduced in the first year of this Parliament, and some have noted that it may have a slower timetable than legislation such as the EU Referendum bill.
Article 14 of the Human Rights Act, which affords protection from discrimination, has been used in many legal cases to argue for protection for LGBT people.
A planning document that was previously made public on the Conservative website says the new British Bill of Rights will only be applicable in certain circumstances, and will not be valid for “trivial” matters.
Liberty and other campaign groups are calling on Parliament to save the Human Rights Act, click here for more.
