Rishi Sunak is ready to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights if it is the only way he can stop the flow of small boats carrying migrants across the Channel
The Prime Minister was today reported to be preparing for the extreme move after being told that 65,000 could make the hazardous journey this year, a 50 per cent increase on the record set in 2022.
It comes after he last week vowed to tackle the ‘ridiculous’ Channel migrant situation.
In an interview to mark his first 100 days in office, the PM told Piers Morgan his blueprint for overhauling the system would see asylum claims heard in ‘days or weeks’.
The Sunday Times reported today that he was prepared to pass domestic legislation and then dare the ECHR in Strasbourg – which the UK helped set up – to rule against it. However such a move could set up a major row with Labour and moderate Tories.
Business secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News’ Ridge on Sunday today: ‘What we can’t have is boats arriving here with illegal gangs and gang masters people trafficking people here and to be impotent in return.
‘So Rishi is absolutely right to apply the full force of the law to stop this illegal trade in human misery.
