Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Immigration: Government Legal Advice

Thursday 19 June 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Blake Stephenson questioned the Attorney General about apologizing for comments on the European convention on human rights and its impact on illegal migration.
  • Chris McDonald inquired about the Crown Prosecution Service's efforts to combat illegal migration and people smuggling, receiving confirmation of new funding for surveillance and prosecutions.
  • Helen Grant asked about Britain's absence from a list supporting a reset of the European convention on human rights to remove foreign offenders, and the Solicitor General confirmed the UK's commitment to the ECHR while considering modern challenges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire
Immigration Standards & Ethics
Context

The Attorney General recently apologised for comments about the European Convention on Human Rights impeding efforts to tackle illegal migration.

Question

Why has the Attorney General been forced to apologise for his comments about those who believe the European convention on human rights is impeding efforts to tackle illegal migration? Does that not call into question the credibility of any advice given by the Attorney General and whether we can take the Government’s plans to stop the boats seriously?

Answer from The Solicitor General

As I said, the Law Officers’ convention prevents me from disclosing whether Lord Hermer advised on this issue or indeed any other. It does not, however, prevent me from saying that I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about illegal migration, given the abject mess the Conservatives left the country in.

Not addressed: The Solicitor General did not address the credibility of legal advice but instead criticized the previous government.

How: Criticizing The Opposition

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Q2 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

The Crown Prosecution Service has received new funding to step up surveillance and prosecutions.

Question

Could the Solicitor General advise on how the Crown Prosecution Service is being empowered to tackle illegal migration and people smuggling?

Answer from The Solicitor General

My hon. Friend raises an important point and refers to a critical part of the Government’s plan to secure our borders. The CPS has recently received new funding to step up surveillance and prosecutions, which will mean that those who commit horrible crimes in relation to people smuggling feel the full force of the law.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Helen Grant Con Maidstone and Malling
Asylum & Refugees Foreign Affairs
Context

Nine European allies have written to Strasbourg, requesting a reset of the ECHR for national Parliaments to remove foreign offenders. Britain has not joined.

Question

Why is Britain missing from the list of signatories supporting a reset of the European convention on human rights for national Parliaments to remove foreign offenders who threaten public safety? Can the Solicitor General confirm whether the Government will now back that initiative?

Answer from The Solicitor General

As the Lord Chancellor made very clear yesterday, the UK remains committed to the ECHR, but it is absolutely right that as the challenges facing modern democracies evolve, so must international law and indeed domestic interpretation of that law. This Government are taking a serious, considered and responsible approach, and we have a history of engaging constructively with the Court.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Solicitor General did not confirm if the government will support the initiative but stated commitment to ECHR and constructive engagement.

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Q4 Helen Grant Con Maidstone and Malling
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

Qari Abdul Rauf, a convicted ringleader of the Rochdale child rape gang, is still living in the town nearly 10 years after a judge ordered his deportation.

Question

According to press reports, Qari Abdul Rauf, a convicted ringleader of the Rochdale child rape gang, is still living in the town. That is nearly 10 years after a judge ordered his deportation. Repeated appeals under article 8 of the ECHR—the right to family life—have blocked his removal. What action are the Government taking to stop criminals abusing article 8 to defeat Parliament’s clear intention to deport them?

Answer from The Solicitor General

If you come to this country, you play by our rules. That is why since we came into office, we have been taking action to ensure that foreign offenders can be deported at the earliest opportunity. In the period since we have been in office, we have deported nearly 30,000 foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers. That is the highest rate of returns for more than half a decade. It is the right thing to do, it will save prison capacity, and it will save taxpayers’ money.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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