In a striking declaration that could redefine Britain's relationship with European human rights frameworks, Cabinet Minister Kemi Badenoch has stated the UK must be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights if it continues obstructing the government's Rwanda deportation scheme.
The Business Secretary's comments, made during a GB News interview in Manchester, represent the most explicit warning yet from a senior Conservative figure about potentially severing ties with the Strasbourg-based court.
"We Cannot Be Held Hostage"
Mrs Badenoch didn't mince words when discussing the ongoing legal battles surrounding the government's flagship immigration policy. "If it's the case that the ECHR is still being interpreted in a way that means we cannot have a sovereign decision on who comes into this country," she stated, "then we have to leave."
The minister emphasised that while leaving the Convention shouldn't be the first option, the government cannot allow foreign courts to repeatedly block British immigration decisions. Her comments come amid growing frustration within Conservative ranks about legal challenges preventing deportation flights to Rwanda.
Manchester Conference Sparks Policy Debate
The intervention occurred during GB News's national conference in Manchester, where immigration policy has become a central theme. Mrs Badenoch's position places her among the growing number of Conservative MPs advocating for a tougher stance on human rights legislation that conflicts with national border control.
She argued that the British people have repeatedly shown through democratic processes that they want controlled immigration, and that international agreements shouldn't override this democratic will.
Broader Implications for UK Sovereignty
This isn't just about the Rwanda policy—it's about who ultimately governs Britain. Mrs Badenoch framed the issue as fundamental to national sovereignty, suggesting that if international bodies consistently prevent the UK from managing its borders, then the country must reconsider its membership.
The Business Secretary's comments signal a potential hardening of government position as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces pressure from both wings of his party to deliver on immigration promises before the next general election.
With legal challenges continuing to delay the Rwanda scheme, the possibility of leaving the ECHR appears to be moving from Conservative fringe discussion to mainstream government consideration.
