UK to opt out of European Convention on Human Rights

British military forces will soon be allowed to violate European human rights laws on the battlefield, a move that according to UK Prime Minister Theresa May protects them from “vexatious” legal claims.

May and UK Defense Minister Michael Fallon were expected to announce on Tuesday that Britain will opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent “victims” from using them to mount “spurious” legal claims against British troops.

This means that in future conflicts, London will commit to the Geneva Conventions instead, which condone lethal force as a first resort against enemy forces.

According to The Telegraph, breaking from the ECHR will take place on a case-by-case basis.

Under the new plan, the UK government would put a time limit for new claims, after which no cases will be accepted.

Legal firms will also be discouraged to bring lawsuits against British troops through reducing the financial incentives on a “no win, no fee” basis.

“Those who serve on the frontline will have our support when they come home,” May will say in a joint statement with Fallon, according to a draft of her speech.

“Combined with the biggest defense budget in Europe, the action we are laying out today means we will continue to play our part on the world stage, protecting UK interests across the globe.”

According to Fallon, the “false” ECHR cases have “cost the taxpayer millions and there is a real risk it will stop our armed forces doing their job.”

The UK defense ministry has spent more than £100 million on investigations, inquiries and compensations in connection to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, in which the UK played a central role.

Lawyers from the law firms Leigh Day and Public Interest Lawyers are facing disciplinary action by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over alleged irregularities after earning millions from such cases.

The “no win, no fee” claims allow lawyers to bill extra costs in the event that they win damages for clients.

The move was welcomed the by Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, who chairs a parliamentary inquiry into the treatment of Afghan and Iraq war veterans.

“To apply European Human Rights law to combat situations has been a grave abuse of both human rights law and our soldiers whom we have asked to fight on our behalf,” Mercer said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk