Graham Stringer said the convention is preventing Britain stopping illegal migrant crossings (Image: Getty)
Labour veteran Graham Stringer has become the first MP on his side of the Commons to say Britain should quit the European Convention on Human Rights. His comments come amid yet another crisis for the Government as it panics following this week’s bombshell Epping Forest migrant hotel court ruling.
After a record-breaking year for Channel crossings, Mr Stringer said on Thursday that Sir Keir Starmer must remove any legal impediment stopping the UK from ending the crisis, including leaving the ECHR. He told the BBC’s World at One programme: “What you’ve got to remember is most of the people crossing the Channel are young men, they have destroyed their papers before they get here, they’re coming from a completely civilised country in France. They’re paying international criminals to get here and the courts are saying they have a right to stay under the refugee convention, I assume, and possibly other conventions. That doesn’t seem reasonable to me.”
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
DON'T MISS
Powered by
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Keir Starmer urged to suspend ECHR and deport thousands of migrants
Nigel Farage pledges to scrap Human Rights Act to prioritise British citizens
Nigel Farage reveals 'national emergency' mass deportation blueprint for UK
Lee Anderson issues brutal 5-word slap down after Yvette Cooper's illegal migrant claim
Nigel Farage's huge victory as Labour grandee echoes immigration plans
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Labour MPs back Rwanda-style migrant plan and urge Keir Starmer to copy Trump
Nigel Farage just set himself the challenge of a lifetime on behalf of Britain
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Rwanda joins Afghanistan in confirming potential migrant deal with PM Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage to champion Lucy Connolly in grave warning of threat to UK free speech
Nigel Farage is exposing left-wing conspiracy pushing UK to its limits
Hotels across the UK have cashed in on this migrant racket and communities have suffered
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Keir Starmer urged to suspend ECHR and deport thousands of migrants
Nigel Farage pledges to scrap Human Rights Act to prioritise British citizens
Nigel Farage reveals 'national emergency' mass deportation blueprint for UK
Lee Anderson issues brutal 5-word slap down after Yvette Cooper's illegal migrant claim
Nigel Farage's huge victory as Labour grandee echoes immigration plans
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Labour MPs back Rwanda-style migrant plan and urge Keir Starmer to copy Trump
Nigel Farage just set himself the challenge of a lifetime on behalf of Britain
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Rwanda joins Afghanistan in confirming potential migrant deal with PM Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage to champion Lucy Connolly in grave warning of threat to UK free speech
Nigel Farage is exposing left-wing conspiracy pushing UK to its limits
Hotels across the UK have cashed in on this migrant racket and communities have suffered
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Keir Starmer urged to suspend ECHR and deport thousands of migrants
Nigel Farage pledges to scrap Human Rights Act to prioritise British citizens
Nigel Farage reveals 'national emergency' mass deportation blueprint for UK
Lee Anderson issues brutal 5-word slap down after Yvette Cooper's illegal migrant claim
Nigel Farage's huge victory as Labour grandee echoes immigration plans
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Labour MPs back Rwanda-style migrant plan and urge Keir Starmer to copy Trump
Nigel Farage just set himself the challenge of a lifetime on behalf of Britain
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Rwanda joins Afghanistan in confirming potential migrant deal with PM Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage to champion Lucy Connolly in grave warning of threat to UK free speech
Nigel Farage is exposing left-wing conspiracy pushing UK to its limits
Hotels across the UK have cashed in on this migrant racket and communities have suffered
Read more: Labour grandee breaks cover as first to call on Keir Starmer to quit ECHR
Mr Stringer said migrant crossings can't be stopped while Britain remains a member (Image: Getty)
Asked whether that included withdrawal from the Human Rights treaty, he simply said: “Yes.”
“Clem Attlee, who was prime minister when the Convention on Human Rights was signed, agreed to it on the basis that it didn’t apply to the UK and the same with the Refugee Convention. Europe was in a mess. It applied only to Europe at the time.”
Powered By
10 Sec
GB News host admits she is 'emotional' after goodbye messages
Next
Stay
He said the convention's rules on asylum were “very good” when they were introduced, but that the court has since “extended their remit, and we need laws that apply to the current situation”.
Sponsored
At 35, Taylor Swift Moves To This Modest House, See Inside
Undo
On the migrant crisis itself, the Blackley and Middleton South MP fumed: “I think people who come here illegally, and they are funding international criminals, should not be allowed to stay.
“What happens when they’re allowed to stay? They’re getting priority beyond my constituents who need to be housed, who need access to the health service and need access to dental services.”
Read more: Palestinian uses ECHR to come to UK for ￡55k medical treatment
Read more: 'Keir Starmer has done everything BUT smash gangs and it's about to get worse'
Read more: UK 'taken for mugs' over migration madness as criminals exploit ECHR
Jack Straw has also suggested leaving (Image: Getty)
He joins Lord Glasman as the only two Labour parliamentarians to back quitting the ECHR, aligning themselves with Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick on the key issue.
Kemi Badenoch is yet to confirm whether leaving the ECHR is official Tory policy, and has set up a commission to answer the question.
It’s expected she will confirm that she would leave the ECHR if she becomes Prime Minister at the Tories’ October party conference.
Another Labour MP, Jonathan Hinder, said in April that it’s “quite clear” that the convention “isn’t working”, taking aim at the judges’ “crazy judgements” and “huge judicial over-reach”.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Labour MPs back Rwanda-style migrant plan and urge Keir Starmer to copy Trump
Nigel Farage just set himself the challenge of a lifetime on behalf of Britain
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Rwanda joins Afghanistan in confirming potential migrant deal with PM Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage to champion Lucy Connolly in grave warning of threat to UK free speech
Nigel Farage is exposing left-wing conspiracy pushing UK to its limits
Hotels across the UK have cashed in on this migrant racket and communities have suffered
Lucky You: Senior Dating Starts TodayJapansdates |
Read More
Undo
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Keir Starmer urged to suspend ECHR and deport thousands of migrants
Not a typical dating platformJapansdates |
Read More
Undo
Nigel Farage pledges to scrap Human Rights Act to prioritise British citizens
Nigel Farage reveals 'national emergency' mass deportation blueprint for UK
Amazing Japanese all-in-one gel for blemish removalBeauty Institute |
Learn More
Undo
Lee Anderson issues brutal 5-word slap down after Yvette Cooper's illegal migrant claim
Nigel Farage's huge victory as Labour grandee echoes immigration plans
Face full of spots... Used Gel from Watsons, Vanished.Beauty Institute |
Learn More
Undo
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Learn More
Undo
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
Wish I’d tried it sooner… 40s woman shocked by fat loss at WatsonsBody Design News |
Learn More
Undo
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Dating for Senior SinglesBestdates |
Read More
Undo
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Labour MPs back Rwanda-style migrant plan and urge Keir Starmer to copy Trump
Do you have a mouse?Desert Order |
Nigel Farage just set himself the challenge of a lifetime on behalf of Britain
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already InIC Markets |
Learn More
Rwanda joins Afghanistan in confirming potential migrant deal with PM Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage to champion Lucy Connolly in grave warning of threat to UK free speech
Grab A Tissue Before You See Tommy Steele At Almost 88Foodie Friend |
Read More
Nigel Farage is exposing left-wing conspiracy pushing UK to its limits
Hotels across the UK have cashed in on this migrant racket and communities have suffered
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Keir Starmer urged to suspend ECHR and deport thousands of migrants
Nigel Farage pledges to scrap Human Rights Act to prioritise British citizens
Nigel Farage reveals 'national emergency' mass deportation blueprint for UK
Lee Anderson issues brutal 5-word slap down after Yvette Cooper's illegal migrant claim
Nigel Farage's huge victory as Labour grandee echoes immigration plans
GB News host left staggered as guest erupts at Reform's deportation plans
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Reform UK just won quiet victory - and evidence is Tory and Labour reaction
Moment furious BBC row erupts as Victoria Derbyshire clashes with Tice
TalkTV star threatens to quit in bid to help Nigel Farage: 'This needs doing'
The Prime Minister's about to get a taste of his own medicine amid asylum backlash
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
下午察：抬人上下山收费上万人民币合理吗?Lianhe Zaobao
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Mr Hinder said that while he would prefer to prioritise seeking reforms of the treaty, nothing should be “off the table” if those attempts at reform fail.
Former Home Secretary Jack Straw has also said Britain should question its membership of the ECHR, writing in March that there is little reason to remain.
Mr Straw argued: “It is the success of the HRA that provides the Prime Minister with a way through the dilemma … about the difficulties to effective immigration control that the ECHR presents. These have been thrown up not by the convention itself but by expansive, and sometimes inconsistent or incoherent, interpretations of its articles by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.”
Read Next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy