It’s not “activist lawyers“ this government hates, but the laws themselves

Why human rights and the rule of law are the real targets of Priti Patel and the Home Office's fight with “activist lawyers”.

By Adam Wagner

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Priti Patel, Secretary of State for the Home Department leaves Downing Street on February 13, 2020 in London, England. The Prime Minister makes adjustments to his Cabinet now Brexit has been completed. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

It started with a video published on the Home Office Twitter account on Wednesday evening (26 August), showing an animation of deportation flights leaving the UK. The message in the text was that “activist lawyers” are delaying the removal of migrants who have no right to remain in the UK.

The animation was taken down last night (27 August), following a complaint. The Home Office’s Permanent Secretary said that video “should not have been used on an official government channel”.