Dominic Raab’s Bill of Rights under threat as new justice secretary acknowledges other ‘priorities’

Alex Chalk did not commit to pursuing law and told MPs he was ‘looking carefully at full range of department’s work’

Alex Chalk replaces Downing Raab as Justice Secretary (Aaron Chown/PA)

(PA Wire)

Dominic Raab’s controversial Bill of Rights is under threat as his successor draws up his own plans for the overloaded Ministry of Justice.

New justice secretary Alex Chalk KC did not publicly back the law - or commit to pursuing it - when questioned in parliament on Tuesday. He also acknowledged that his department has other “priorities”.

The controversial law - which would abolish the Human Rights Act - was presented to parliament last June but stalled following the meltdown of Boris Johnson’s government. It was shelved by Liz Truss and then revived when Mr Raab was re-appointed as justice secretary by Rishi Sunak.