Theresa May News

Just had my ear bent by Labour - they reckon their majority in South Shields will be halved to 5,000.

Though that would roughly maintain the same share of the vote won by David Miliband in 2010.

• Politics
• UKIP
• Theresa May

The Lib Dems have told me things are pretty horrific for them in South Shields, with it looking like the 'third party' vote has all gone to UKIP.

The turnout in the Parliamentary by-election, sparked by former foreign secretary David Miliband's resignation, is 39.3%.

• Politics
• South Shields
• UKIP

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said that the government "will not be introducing what has been dubbed the snooper's charter."

He said: "I think the idea of a snooper's charter is not in keeping with the commitment we made at the beginning of the coalition to turn a page on the kind of database state that the Labour Party was always pushing for when they were in government."

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• Nick Clegg
• Theresa May

Asked if the option of temporary withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights was currently under consideration, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said:

As the Home Secretary was setting out, there are two things that the Government is very clearly and actively taking forward. There is the treaty-related process and there is the seeking of permission to appeal from the Supreme Court.

Is the Prime Minister prepared to consider all options should that be necessary? Absolutely, yes... This is a very dangerous individual. I think people would rightly expect that, should it be necessary, consideration is given to all options.

The Government believes the treaty will deliver the protections required by Siac (the Special Immigration Appeals Commission) to secure Qatada's deportation.

• Politics
• Abu Qatada
• Theresa May

Click here to view the new treaty between the UK and Jordan

• Politics
• Abu Qatada
• Theresa May

When asked if a temporary withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights was a possibility, to help facilitate the deportation of Abu Qatada, Mrs May said:

We should have all options - including leaving the convention altogether - on the table. The Prime Minister is looking at all the options. That is the only sensible thing to do.

Read more: May signs Jordan Qatada treaty

• Politics
• Abu Qatada
• Theresa May

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said she welcomes the work the Home Secretary is continuing to do to get Abu Qatada deported and the further assurances sought from Jordan.

However, she added: "She will know that the history of Home Office problems in this area mean that serious questions remain.

"The question for the house and the Court will be whether it meets the specific test that the court has set".

"We wish her well with this mutual legal assistance treaty and we hope that it will work.

Mrs Cooper also suggested a debate and vote should be held to "demonstrate the strength of support there is across this house".

Read: New UK-Jordan treaty over Qatada deportation

• Politics
• Abu Qatada
• Theresa May

So the Home Secretary puts all her eggs in the Jordanian basket.

She thinks she has got enough to deport Abu Qatada, but this will still go through courts and appeals.

• Politics
• Jordan
• Abu Qatada