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Carwyn Jones will oppose any repeal of the Human Rights Act, as outlined by the Conservative Government in Westminster, according to a spokesman for the First Minister.

Mr Jones has suggested that Tory proposals are dangerous and will make the UK look like a “banana republic”.

It now appears that he’d be willing to block them if he can.

Those pressing for repeal of the act argue it does little to protect the liberties, or the safety, of British people, and that it allows judges - who are not chosen by popular vote - to make substantive judgements about government policies.

"We will do everything we can to block this regressive change"

But a spokesman for the First Minister said: “As things stand, we have no clear indication of how the UK Government intends to proceed with its plan to repeal the Human Rights Act.

“However, it is obvious from the outset that they have given absolutely no consideration to the role of devolved governments.

“Along with Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are fundamentally opposed to the move, and will do everything we can to block this regressive change.”

Would the UK Government need AMs support to scrap the Act?

It is thought that a repeal of the Act may require agreement with the UK’s devolved legislatures, including the Assembly, requiring them to pass what is known as a legislative consent motion (LCM).

Sources on the Welsh Government side say it isn’t clear yet whether an LCM would be needed. But if it was, it is thought the Welsh ministers would not support it being passed in the Assembly.

RELATED: Could plan to scrap Human Rights Act lead to a constitutional crisis?

The news brings the Welsh Government into line with the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, after Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon said that her team would also try to block the move.

Voices in Northern Ireland have suggested that the move could put the peace process there in difficulty.

The Conservatives pledged in the party’s manifesto to scrap the Human Rights Act – which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights into British law – and introduce a British bill of rights.

This, the manifesto said, would break the formal link between the British courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), making the Supreme Court the “ultimate arbiter of human rights” in the UK.

Tories say the court has led to “perverse” rulings, such as allowing radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada to remain in the UK and saying the ban on prisoners voting was unlawful.

But the convention on human rights is embedded directly into the devolution settlements, including legislation that governs Wales.

The Government of Wales Act 2006 sets out that Welsh Ministers are prevented from making any legislation or undertaking any action incompatible with Convention rights as defined by the Human Rights Act.

"It makes us look like a banana republic"

Last week, in response to a question from Kirsty Williams on the topic, Carwyn Jones told the Senedd: “Well, it makes us look like a banana republic, frankly.

“I mean, most countries in Europe, including Russia, are signatories and members of the European convention.”

A cross party group of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru AMs have backed a statement of opinion saying the Assembly vigorously opposes any moves by the UK Government to repeal the Human Rights Act.

An amendment to that, tabled by Plaid AM Simon Thomas and signed by four of his party colleagues, adds that they believe the consent of the Assembly would be needed.

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "I’m glad the First Minister has responded positively to my challenge in FMQs last week. Repealing the Human Rights Act is fundamentally wrong, and we will do all we can to ensure these plans are stopped."