Overview
- Keir Starmer and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen urged European leaders to update how the convention is interpreted to toughen border enforcement and counter the populist right.
- Deputy prime minister David Lammy will represent the UK on Wednesday in Strasbourg, meeting ministers from about 45 countries to pursue a non‑binding declaration that could shape court rulings.
- The UK has signalled domestic legislation to narrow how Article 8 on family life is applied in immigration cases, with Lammy expected to press for tighter thresholds under Article 3 in specific contexts.
- A letter organized by Freedom From Torture and signed by 21 public figures, including Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Michael Palin, urged the prime minister not to weaken absolute protections against torture.
- The government says it will remain in the convention system as an alternative to withdrawal proposed by the Conservatives and Reform UK, building on a May push by nine states to limit the convention’s scope.