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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Pippa Crerar and Rajeev Syal

James Cleverly defies Tory right’s push to leave ECHR

James Cleverly appeared to accuse those calling for the UK to walk away from the ECHR of defeatism: ‘I think some people underestimate how much influence we have on the world stage.’
James Cleverly appeared to accuse those calling for the UK to walk away from the ECHR of defeatism: ‘I think some people underestimate how much influence we have on the world stage.’ Photograph: N10-3606/Simon Dawson

The foreign secretary has defied the Tory right by arguing that the UK should remain a signatory of the European convention on human rights (ECHR), as Rishi Sunak caves to demands from hard-right MPs to ignore European court rulings on small boats.

James Cleverly said he was “not convinced” that leaving the ECHR was necessary to ensure the immigration system was robust, and that the UK had the clout to push for changes if needed, prompting speculation he may be uncomfortable with the move.

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