Human rights no defence for criminals and terrorists, says Grayling The Justice Secretary said: "As a Conservative minister, I believe that it is time to examine how to curtail the involvement of the European Court of Human Rights in UK domestic matters. I also think that in future there needs to be absolutely clear balance between rights and responsibilities in law. I know my rights" has to stop being a defence against unacceptable behaviour." He added: "As Conservatives, we remain absolutely committed to the importance of human rights around the world. Controversy over human rights laws has risen up the political agenda over the past few years following legal judgments demanding that prisoners be allowed to vote - and blocking the extradition of terrorism suspects. Kenneth Clarke, Mr Grayling's predecessor as Justice Secretary, and Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, established the commission to draw up plans for new legislation. Mr Grayling now believes that the commission's recommendations can only provide a temporary solution. In today's article, he hopes the work of the commission "will allow us to take further steps to improve the situation. Whether we like it or not, both Labour and the Lib Dems disagree with us about the scale of change which is needed. The commission comprises nine of the country's most senior legal experts. Earlier this year a cache of emails and internal papers leaked to The Daily Telegraph showed the commission was riven by division. The leaks came after the academic Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, one of the original members, resigned, claiming the commission was rigged by Europhiles such as Mr Clegg.