Robert Jenrick, one of the frontrunners in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader, has faced backlash after suggesting that the SAS are instructed to kill rather than capture terrorists due to fears the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) would “set them free.”
In a video released on Monday, Jenrick argued that the UK should leave the ECHR, claiming that the court interferes too much with British law. He cited a 2023 article by former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to support his stance, claiming the legal restrictions imposed by the ECHR are forcing the military into taking more extreme measures.
Jenrick’s Comments Spark Criticism
Jenrick’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from his fellow Tory leadership contenders, including Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly, who were quick to challenge his accusations.
Tugendhat, who served in the army and was security minister, said Jenrick’s comments displayed a “fundamental misunderstanding” of both military operations and international law. He emphasised that British forces should always encourage individuals to surrender and that making such statements could send the wrong message.
Speaking to Sky News, Tugendhat stated, “I’m extremely concerned that such words should not be seen in any way to encourage people to take any action, other than to surrender to British forces when asked to do so.”
James Cleverly, who previously held roles as foreign secretary and home secretary, also expressed discomfort with Jenrick’s claims. He noted that he had never heard such accusations before and strongly defended the British military’s adherence to international humanitarian law.
“Our military do not murder people,” Cleverly said in response. He added that if Jenrick has evidence to support his claims, he should justify them.
The Controversy Surrounding ECHR
Jenrick’s team pointed to a Telegraph interview with Ben Wallace from 2023, in which Wallace criticised international treaties like the European Convention on Human Rights for complicating efforts to apprehend terrorists. Wallace claimed that, in some cases, the UK was “forced into taking lethal action” because of restrictions on rendition – the extrajudicial transfer of suspects across borders.
While Wallace did not directly claim that the ECHR would free terrorists if captured, he highlighted the complexities of dealing with international law, which sometimes blocks missions aimed at detaining suspects in certain countries. Jenrick’s comments, however, have been widely interpreted as an oversimplification of these legal issues, leading to the backlash he now faces.
Tory Leadership Contest Heats Up
As the leadership contest continues, Jenrick’s stance on the ECHR has drawn significant attention. His call for the UK to leave the court is likely to appeal to hardline Conservatives, but the controversy surrounding his comments about military conduct could damage his bid to replace Rishi Sunak.
With Tugendhat and Cleverly openly criticising Jenrick’s remarks, the leadership race is expected to intensify as candidates seek to distinguish themselves on key issues such as national security and Britain’s relationship with international law.
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