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Of law & politics

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14 November 2013 / Roger Smith
Issue: 7584 / Categories: Opinion
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Roger Smith examines the latest legal & political conflicts

The intersection of the worlds of politics and law was very clear this month. Major battles loom on the contested territory of human rights and judicial review.

Human rights

The law/politics connection was evident in Stuart Wheeler’s contribution at the launch of Professor Philippe Sands’ latest publication, a new edition of Sir Hersch Lauterpacht’s An International Bill of the Rights of Man. Wheeler made a fortune by founding a spread betting firm and has spent some of it in support of UKIP, of which he is treasurer. His contribution was subtle. He accepts that we have, as of now, to follow the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and, on the running sore of prisoner’s votes, he actually supports the court against Parliamentary opposition. However, he wants a two year re-negotiation to loosen the bounds of the European Convention on Human Rights and our departure if unsuccessful.

Lord McNally spoke up for the Convention and its court. He said that his most

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