British Prime Minister said Tuesday she would alter human rights laws if they hamper counterterrorism efforts.

May's comments came just two days before U.K. voters head to the polls to elect their next government in a vote May called. And while May's Conservative Party has maintained a lead over the opposition Labour Party in the polls, the margin has tightened over the past month.

Speaking on the campaign trail, May called for longer prison sentences for convicted terrorists and loosening restrictions on expelling foreign terror suspects, saying that she was prepared to do away with human rights laws that stand in the way.

"I mean doing more to restrict the freedom and movements of terrorist suspects when we have enough evidence to know they are a threat, but not enough evidence to prosecute them in full in court," May said. "And if our human rights laws stop us from doing it, we'll change the law so we can do it."

ADVERTISEMENT

The U.K. has been put on high alert in recent weeks in the wake of two deadly terrorist attacks. Seven people were killed and nearly 50 were injured on Saturday when three attackers drove into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing people nearby with knives.

Less than two weeks earlier, a suicide bomber killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. That attack left more than 100 people wounded.