Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said international law must be reinterpreted to prevent failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals from blocking deportation on grounds such as poor prison or healthcare conditions abroad.
Speaking to the BBC, Starmer stressed he did not want to “tear down” human rights laws but insisted that provisions like Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects against torture and degrading treatment, must be applied “in the circumstances as they are now.”
He argued that while genuine refugees fleeing persecution should still be granted asylum, mass migration in recent years requires a new approach.
Starmer Targets Deportation Barriers
Starmer highlighted the case of a Brazilian paedophile who avoided deportation after claiming prison conditions in Brazil were worse than in the UK. He said the distinction between “summary execution” and different levels of prison or healthcare standards must be clarified.
The prime minister pointed to Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR, as well as UN conventions on refugees, torture, and children’s rights, as barriers UK courts interpret too widely. He argued this makes it harder to deport dangerous offenders and unsuccessful asylum seekers.
Legal Community Pushes Back
Human rights lawyer Shami Chakrabarti dismissed the claims, saying rulings blocking deportations due to inhuman or degrading treatment were “very, very rare.” She insisted UK courts had never applied the test that simply being worse off in another country amounts to degrading treatment.
Ministers have already signaled they are exploring ways to tighten interpretations of human rights law. In May, the government’s immigration white paper promised legislation clarifying how the right to family life applies in immigration cases.
Labour Conference Backdrop
Starmer’s comments follow a Labour Party conference dominated by debate over immigration and the rise of Reform UK. In his keynote speech, he attacked Nigel Farage’s party as peddling the “politics of grievance” while positioning Labour as the party of “tolerant, decent patriotism.”
He also addressed speculation about leadership challenges from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, saying he had been “underestimated every time” but had always “pushed through the barriers.”
Broader Policy Focus
In the wide-ranging interview, Starmer also raised concerns about the long-term impact of young people remaining on benefits due to mental health conditions. He stressed the importance of helping them return to work.
On the economy, Starmer pledged to bring down household and business energy bills, as Ofgem’s new price cap raises costs by 2%. He added that the UK-EU SPS Agreement on food standards should soon ease food inflation.
