Robert Jenrick has set out how the UK can quit the European Convention on Human Rights while still protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
The Good Friday Agreement, drawn up to bring peace to Northern Ireland, includes participation in the ECHR as one of its required “safeguards” to protect the rights and interests for both nationalists and unionists.
But hardline ECHR critic Jenrick explained what he would do to protect Northern Ireland at an event for Tory members on Sunday.
Jenrick said: “Leaving the ECHR itself is not that difficult – you just give notice and then you maybe pass a law to underpin it.
Jenrick set out the path for quitting ECHR while protecting Good Friday Agreement
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“You replace it with a British Bill of Rights, something we’ve talked about for a long time but we never did… Essentially, we realised there was no point while you stay in the ECHR because the differences were so little.
“There are amazing British lawyers like Lord Sumption who are itching to do it.”
In a recording obtained by GB News, Jenrick added: “With Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement says there should be a Northern Irish Bill of Rights whereby Northern Irish citizens can pursue their claims domestically in the Court of Northern Ireland.
“Blair never did that. He chose not to pursue that and instead made the Human Rights Act and worked with the ECHR.
“I think there is a very strong argument that we can say that we are doing what was originally envisaged.
“I don’t pretend it’s plain sailing – there will be challenges, but the alternative is not in our national interest.”
Lanark Way interface gates, painted ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement
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Jenrick, who is vowing to leave the ECHR to thwart the threat posed by Reform UK, would likely face opposition from Dublin, Brussels and Washington over the decision.
The Newark MP went into the Tory leadership race as the only contender unequivocally voicing support for leaving the ECHR.
Ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is going head-to-head with Jenrick for votes from grassroots members, described the pledge as providing “easy answers” to difficult questions.
She added: “It’s not just about throwing our numbers and throwing out targets. Something is wrong with the system.
“People who are throwing out numbers and saying they will leave the ECHR and so on are giving you easy answers.”
In a separate intervention, Badenoch described leaving the ECHR as “not radical enough” as she vowed to “develop the fullest and most detailed plan” to control immigration.
Robert Jenrick is going head-to-head with Shadow Housing Secretary Kemi Badenoch
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Jenrick continued to spar with Badenoch over the ECHR across the weekend.
Speaking to Tory members in Essex, Jenrick claimed the alternative is “totally opaque” and warned such a situation is a “recipe for disaster”.
He added: “Ask Kemi, for example, ‘what is the reform you seek? What is the process? How do you envisage getting 45 other countries to agree to it?’ – I think that’s impossible. I wish it was easier, but I think it’s impossible.”
However, vowing to leave the ECHR could cause more infighting within the Tory Party.
At the 2024 Tory Conference, former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland said: “Frankly, on sovereignty, we live in a world where we have international obligations.
“Every time you sign a treaty, you give away some of our sovereignty.
“Let’s just grow up and get over it. I think it’s a good thing that we do that.”
Jenrick is pledging to leave the ECHR
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However, the Tory Reform Group refused to endorse either of the remaining candidates in part because of the “rhetoric” used and “issues” prioritised by Badenoch and Jenrick.
One Nation Tory Damian Green, who lost his seat on July 4, expressed “deep concerns” about Jenrick’s ECHR pledge.
He told The Telegraph: “I do think it needs reform, but saying that whatever happens, we’re going to pull out without, for example, any concern for how you develop or continue with the Good Friday Agreement – that gives me grave concern for what is a hugely important issue for the country.”
Despite the ECHR splitting Tory opinion, Jenrick claimed: “I think the parliamentary party is not as divided on this issue as some might like to suggest.
“A year or two ago, when I was making the argument on the ECHR, this was a lonely battle.
“In this leadership election, I think almost every candidate conceded that it was not working in the interests of the British people and that it needs to be reformed. My argument is just one step further.”
Jenrick, who concluded “reform [of the ECHR] is not possible”, guaranteed Shadow Cabinet Ministers would sign up to leaving the convention and claimed Conservative candidates would also support departure ahead of the next general election.
Despite the debate about the Strasbourg Court, More in Common’s latest poll found 48 per cent would support remaining part of the convention, with just 26 per cent believing Britain should leave.
However, support for quitting the ECHR surges among 2024 Reform UK and Tory voters.