Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Ex-Tory who slammed European Court of Human Rights takes UK to … European Court of Human Rights

Ex-Tory who slammed European Court of Human Rights takes UK to … European Court of Human Rights

Former Conservative MP — and critic of the ECHR — challenges UK’s handling of lobbying probe.
A former Conservative MP who repeatedly criticized the European Court of Human Rights is taking the U.K. government to… the European Court of Human Rights.

Owen Paterson stepped down from the U.K. parliament last year after a House of Commons probe found he broke its rules on paid lobbying. He has now lodged a complaint with the ECHR claiming that the investigation breached his right to a private life under the Convention’s Article 8.

Last year the U.K.’s parliamentary watchdog recommended Paterson face a 30-day ban from the House of Commons after it found he had “repeatedly” used his position as an MP “to promote the companies by whom he was paid.”

At the time Paterson strongly pushed back against the watchdog’s findings, claiming the methods used by the investigation “do not create a just and fair outcome.”

Paterson eventually resigned from parliament after a botched attempt by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to rally around the embattled MP.

In his application to the ECHR, summarized by the court, Paterson said the U.K. watchdog’s findings had “damaged his good reputation” and that the process by which the allegations against him were investigated was “not fair in many basic respects.”

Paterson has previously taken aim at the ECHR and the European Convention on Human Rights that underpins it, both frequent bugbears of Euroskeptics in the governing Tory Party.

In a speech to the campaign group Business for Britain in 2014, Paterson said it would be easier to stop EU migrants coming to the U.K. if Britain were to withdraw from the ECHR.

“Much of the problematical immigration into this country stems not just from the EU but from the European Court of Human Rights,” he said at the time. “This is exacerbated by the rulings of judges in the court at Strasbourg and by our own U.K. courts implementing the Human Rights Act.” He has also argued for the U.K. to adopt its own Bill of Rights to set the country “free from the ECHR.”

Paterson’s complaint is at what is known as the “communication stage,” meaning the ECHR has formally asked U.K. authorities to respond and may request more information. The complaint could still be dismissed by the court if it is not deemed admissible.

Paterson was approached for comment but had yet to respond at the time of publication.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV, Marking a Historic Papacy
India-Pakistan conflict may be first test for Chinese military tech
Bill Gates Announces Plan to Wind Down Philanthropic Foundation and Disperse Wealth
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
“Trump Supporter” Aims to Bring a MAGA-Style Shift to Romania
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
How do you fix this culture?
Corrupted from Within: How Deep State Power and Unelected Judges Hijacked Democracy Against the Will of the People
President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky just held an impromptu discussion on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.
World Leaders Gather in Rome for Pope Francis's Funeral
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
Greek Christians Celebrate Easter in Thessaloníki
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
China, China, China!
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Alphabet Faces Antitrust Setbacks as Federal Judges Rule Against Google
US Billionaires Call for Higher Taxes, but Proposed 'Millionaires Tax' May Not Achieve Desired Outcome
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Designed in US, made in China: Why Apple is stuck in tariff tussle
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
×