Human rights plans left out of Queen’s Speech

It has been reported Prime Minister David Cameron has held back from plans to scrap the Human Rights Act in this morning’s Queen’s Speech, which marks the opening of parliament.

The first fully Conservative Queen’s Speech was expected to include plans to scrap the 1998 Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights, but a government source told the Times it was more important to get the bill right rather than rush it, and added it would be “odd if we did not consult widely”.

The SNP had informal discussions with Tory backbenchers who oppose the move, and it is thought members of the judiciary opposed the move.

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The Scottish Government has indicated it would try and block the plans. Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil yesterday said: “The Scottish government’s position is that implementation of the Conservative government’s proposals would require legislative consent and that this parliament should make clear that such consent will not be given.”

This morning SNP MP George Kerevan tweeted “First blood to the SNP.”

The Queen’s speech is likely to include £12bn welfare cuts, a referendum on membership of the EU and a free vote on the return of fox hunting. David Cameron said the speech would set out a "clear vision for what our country can be", and that he would “not waste a single moment” in implementing the Tory manifesto promises.

Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said it signalled “the return of the nasty party”.

“Scottish Labour will stand up for Scotland against Tory or Nationalist austerity whilst guaranteeing a powerhouse parliament in Holyrood,” he said.