Tory big beast Kenneth Clarke fired a parting shot at David Cameron by saying it would be “unthinkable” to quit the European Convention on Human Rights.
Hours after stepping down from Cabinet, he made clear he will use his freedom on the backbenches to fight tooth and nail to keep Britain at the heart of Europe.
Mr Clarke, 74, criticised the sacking of convention supporter Dominic Grieve as Attorney General, a departure that was seen at Westminster as a clear signpost that Mr Cameron will threaten to withdraw from the human rights convention unless it waters down its power over UK courts.
He said the debate around the convention — led by Mr Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May — was “absurd” because all the “mad mullahs” had been deported.
“I personally think it is unthinkable we should leave the European Convention on Human Rights,” he told BBC radio, pointing out that it was drafted by British lawyers “to protect the values which we fought the war for”.
He called it a “bedrock” of rights such as the rule of law. On Britain’s future relationship with Europe, he warned new Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond against making impossible demands for reform: “We are going to get some serious reforms if we concentrate on the economic reforms we need. I know plenty of sensible European politicians who want sensible reforms.”
A Tory MP said Mr Clarke was planning to use his retirement from Cabinet to speak up louder than ever on the “One Nation” issues he cares about. “It won’t just be Europe,” said the backbencher. “He will speak out on a range of issues, including law and order.”
Labour claimed the reshuffle looked like a “massacre of moderates” because several pro-EU figures were early casualties. However, senior Tories pointed out that leading Right-wingers were also ousted, including former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.
As the reshuffle was taking place, MEPs were set to approve Jean-Claude Juncker as the new president of the European Commission after Mr Cameron’s failed bid to block his appointment.
The former prime minister of Luxembourg was also due to lay out his vision for Europe as he succeeds José Manuel Barroso in the top Brussels post.
