By Ben Kerrigan-
Lord chancellor Robert Buckland has revealed that the British government is to commission an independent review of the Human Rights Act.
The revelation from mr. Buckland came in a response to a letter from solicitor Harriet Harman MP, chair of the joint committee on human rights, about media reports that the government was planning to opt out of major parts of European human rights law.
Downing Street has been exploring ways to change laws preventing deportation orders against asylum seekers, as well as fresh legislation making it more difficult to prosecute British soldiers for alleged crimes committed abroad.
However, Buckland stressed that none of the proposals in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, which had its second reading last month, would erode the rule of law. or prevent armed forces personnel or the Ministry of Defence from being held to account.
The bill, which imposes new time limits on veterans bringing person injury claims against the Ministry of Defence, will now be scrutinised by the public bill committee.
Committed
Buckland said the UK remained committed to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and would continue to fully abide by its obligations.
‘As set out in our manifesto, the government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government. This includes a commitment to updating the Human Rights Act 1998. We will announce further details on an independent review into the operation of the [act] in due course,’ he said.
Harman was told that the independent probe of judicial review, which is being chaired by former Tory justice minister Lord Faulks, will report its findings and options for reform to the government by the end of the year.
The bill, which imposes new time limits on veterans bringing person injury claims against the Ministry of Defence, will now be scrutinised by the public bill committee.
Buckland, who practised as a barrister in Wales from 1992 to 2010, was a supporter of membership of the European Union during the 2016 elections, and served as Solicitor General for England and Wales from 2014 to 2019.