David Cameron says ECHR may need to show ‘flexibility’ in any future disputes over UK policy

In his first session of questions in the House of Lords, foreign secretary Lord Cameron said the ECHR should show “flexibility” when it comes to potential disputes over UK government policy.

He was questioned by Lord Kerr, a former diplomat, who said: “He will be aware that President Lukashenko and President Putin are the only members of the exclusive club of leaders whose countries do not recognise the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights.

“Does he share the view of the former home secretary that we should join that club?”

Cameron responded: “I can go back as far as 2005 and point the noble Lord to speeches that I made that said, you know, we always have to put our national interest first”.

He added: “As I found as prime minister, there are occasions when the ECHR makes judgements, as they did in in on the issue of prisoner votes, when they said that it was actually essential that we legislated instantly to give prisoners the vote. And I said I didn’t think that was the case – I think that should be settled by Houses of Parliament. And the ECHR backed down.

“So that sort of flexibility may well be necessary in the future”, he added.

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