Howard undermines Rule of Law (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Howard undermines Rule of Law

August 11, 2005 3:03 PM

In his populist attack on the Human Rights Act in today's Daily Telegraph, Michael Howard is undermining the rule of law. If, under pressure of events, politicians introduce laws to protect public safety which restrict civil liberties to an unnecessary extent then the judges have not only a right but a duty to say so.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General said "Until we have a written constitution and bill of rights, British judges are the peoples' best safeguard against misuse of power by ministers and failures to guarantee human rights by Parliament. The worst signal we could send across the world at this moment is that terrorists can force us to give up any of the basic rights or freedoms, which are the hallmarks of secure democracies. We seek to extend human rights abroad, not reduce them at home."

Michael Howard warned yesterday's Britain's judges that "aggressive judicial activism" could put the country's safety from terrorists at risk, and undermine public faith in the justice system. Mr. Howard even repeated his pledge to repeal Britain's Human Rights Act in order to give the government more power.