Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ukip's Suzanne Evans accused of 'advocating fascism' over 'democratic control' of judges

The leadership candidate said she 'questioned the legitimacy' of the High Court ruling that sadi parliament should vote on triggering Article 50

Tom Peck
Monday 07 November 2016 13:12 GMT
Comments
Evans's comments were branded 'the way of fascism' by MP Anna Soubry
Evans's comments were branded 'the way of fascism' by MP Anna Soubry (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Ukip leadership candidate Suzanne Evans has been accused of ‘advocating fascism’ after she repeated her claim, in the wake of last weeks High Court ruling, that judges should be brought under ‘democratic control.’

Ms Evans told the Today programme: “I think there is a debate to be had about whether or not judges should be subject to some kind of democratic control.”

Following on from Nigel Farage’s comments on Sunday, that one of the judges in question should have absented himself from the case on the basis of his work for a European law group, Ms Evans said she was, ‘Questioning the legitimacy of this particular case.’

The Conservative pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry said: “Heaven help us! Suzanne Evans talking dangerous nonsense. "Democratic control" of judges. It's the way of fascism.”

Responding to the comments, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer, said: “Some of us have worked in countries where judges do as governments tell them and we know that is highly corrosive of the rule of law and democracy.”

Many countries, including the USA, have judicial systems that are partially elected. But Ms Evans said she had not been talking about judges being subject to elections, but instead “pre-appointment and confirmation hearings” and “scrutiny by select committees”.

“I think there is a debate to be had about whether or not judges should be subject to some kind of democratic control,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Evans said she was “not saying we should get rid of judges” but suggested the judges allowed their pro-EU views to influence their decision. “I am questioning the legitimacy of this particular case,” she said.

Her comments were branded “irresponsible”. by Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer. “Some of us have worked in countries where judges do as governments tell them and we know that is highly corrosive of the rule of law and democracy,” he told Today

Ukip leadership candidate Suzanne Evans has been accused of advocating “fascism” after she called for judges to be subject to “democratic control."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in