‘Grave concerns’ on Tory rights law

THE SCOTTISH Government has expressed “grave concerns” over plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a new Uk-wide Bill of Rights.

Christina Mckelvie, Scotland’s Minister for Equalities and Older People, warned that any changes risked interfering with the devolution settlement.

As expected, the Bill was one of the 38 announced in Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech.

Prince Charles said it would “restore the balance of power between the legislature and the courts”.

Justice Minister Dominic Raab said it was also partly about returning “common sense to the system”.

“We want to strengthen and reinforce the British tradition of freedom and liberty that we’ve had for hundreds of years,” he said.

Ms Mckelvie vowed the Scottish Government would “robustly oppose” the plans. She said: “The safeguards provided by existing legislation protect every member of Scottish society.

“They are an essential feature of a democratic society founded on the rule of law.

“These rights are also at the heart of the devolution settlement. Changes must not be made without the explicit consent of the Scottish Parliament.”