Theresa May: human rights laws impede terrorism fight

Theresa May campaigning - Conservative party

Theresa May has said she will change or repeal human rights laws if they "get in the way" of attempts to tackle terrorism.

Addressing a rally in slough the Prime Minister said the “fast-changing and very serious threat we face from extremism and terrorism” ​would be a factor in tomorrow's vote.

Longer prison sentences for convicted terrorists, restricting the movement of terror suspects or deporting them will all be considered, she told supporters.

Critics accused May of another U-turn, after the Conservative manifesto had contained a commitment to remain in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

May told supporters: "I mean longer prison sentences for those convicted of terrorist offences.

"I mean making it easier for the authorities to deport foreign terrorist suspects back to their own countries.

"And I mean doing more to restrict the freedom and movements of terrorist suspects when we have enough evidence to know they are a threat, but not enough evidence to prosecute them in full in court.

"And if our human rights laws get in the way of doing it, we will change the law so we can do it."

May has previously said she backs ripping up human rights commitments but didn't think parliament would back it.

Labour has said human rights should be protected in the wake of the attacks on London and Manchester. London mayor Sadiq Khan said: "One of the things that we can do is show that we aren't going to be cowed, is by voting on Thursday and making sure that we understand the importance of our democracy, our civil liberties and our human rights."