LEGISLATION proposing a new British Bill of Rights is “shocking and unnecessary”, Scotland’s equalities minister has said.

UK Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the new Bill would “restore a healthy dose of common sense” to the justice system after its publication on Wednesday.

The legislation is set to work as a successor to the Human Rights Act and asserts that the Supreme Court is the ultimate decision maker on human rights issues in the UK.

It also notes how the country does not have to follow case law from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

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It was the Strasbourg Court which recently intervened to prevent asylum seekers being sent on a one-way flight to Rwanda.

Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie said: “This shocking and unnecessary legislation seeks to put UK ministers above some of the most fundamental checks and balances that underpin our democracy.

“The fact remains that we do not need a new Bill of Rights. The Human Rights Act is one of the most important laws passed by the UK Parliament.

“For more than 20 years it has delivered fairness and justice – protecting our rights to privacy, liberty, freedom of expression and peaceful protest.”

Raab looked to assure MPs that the new legislation would not result in the UK having to leave the ECHR which underpins both human rights and peace in Northern Ireland.

McKelvie added: “The UK Government’s Rwanda policy has been challenged in the European Court of Human Rights.

“This legislation appears to be part of its response – an attempt to remove safeguards protecting every member of our society.

“As a founding signatory of the ECHR, the UK Government should be championing international human rights standards and the rule of law.

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“Instead its ministers appear intent on damaging the UK’s global reputation.”
Devolved administrations are asked to consent on Westminster legislation that will have an impact on devolved areas, but the votes of legislative consent motions are not binding, meaning the UK Government is not required to heed the will of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland’s governments.

The Bill proposes to swap out the Human Rights Act in the Scotland Act – the legislation which created the Scottish Parliament – and replace it with the Bill of Rights.