Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Tuesday 17th December 2013 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

1. What recent representations he has received about UK withdrawal from the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling)]

The coalition agreement commits the Government to the European convention on human rights and the Strasbourg Court. However, the differences between the two parties’ views on this subject are well known, so there will be no major changes before the next election, although, of course, it is my party’s intention that there should be afterwards.

[Mr Bellingham]

Does the Lord Chancellor agree with me that it is quite outrageous that the European Court of Human Rights has deemed whole-life sentences to be in breach of human rights laws? Is he aware that I used to be a strong supporter of the Court, but that I now feel strongly that the time has come when it is in our national interest to come out of it?

[Chris Grayling]

My hon. Friend echoes the view of many people in this country that the whole-life tariff ruling is entirely inappropriate. The Government are considering how best to respond to the ruling, but it is an example of why, in my view, the Court’s reputation in this country has fallen dramatically in recent times, and of why change is now so urgently necessary.