Lords question leading human rights barristers on impact of repeal of human rights law
Continuing with its inquiry into the impact on EU law of a UK decision to repeal the Human Rights Act, the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee will have the opportunity to question the former Attorney General and leading human rights barristers on Tuesday 27 October.
At 11am tomorrow, the Committee will speak to:
- Rt Hon Dominic Grieve MP QC, MP for Beaconsfield and former Attorney General and specialist in issues relating to civil liberties and international affairs;
- Martin Howe QC, who has argued in favour of repealing the Human Rights Act and renegotiating the UK's relationship with the EU; and
- Aidan O'Neill QC, a leading authority in EU and human rights law.
The Committee is investigating the consequences of the Government's proposal to repeal the Human Rights Act (HRA) and replace it with a "British Bill of Rights", in order to inform both the political and public debate.
The witnesses are likely to face questions on a number of areas, including:
- whether a British Bill of Rights would have to be subject to the supremacy of EU law, and if it would put the UK in direct conflict with EU law;
- the impact a UK repeal of the HRA might have on the UK's renegotiation of its membership of the EU, or its relations with other Member States;
- whether repealing the HRA will lead to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights being relied on more often by litigants in the UK; and
- whether the European Court of Justice's recent decision about prisoner voting in European Parliament elections provides a new legal avenue for UK prisoners to challenge the UK's blanket ban.
The evidence session will take place on Tuesday 27 October, at 11am in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
