Overview

• Lord Hermer likened calls to quit the European Convention on Human Rights to early-1930s Nazi ideology during a May 29 speech at the Royal United Services Institute.
• Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage denounced the analogy as a “disgusting smear” equating sovereignty advocates with Nazis.
• On May 30 a spokesman for Lord Hermer said the Attorney General regretted his “clumsy” choice of words but stood by his defence of international law’s role in UK security.
• The government reiterated its commitment to the ECHR while calling for targeted reforms to prevent its judgements blocking the deportation of foreign criminals.
• Critics warn that any meaningful overhaul of the convention is improbable due to the requirement of unanimous consent from all 46 signatory states.