Cameron wants to scrap unpopular Human Rights Act

London: Prime Minister David Cameron claimed on Sunday that he wants to scrap the Human Rights Act immediately — but Nick Clegg won't let him.

Cameron was forced to speak out after the home secretary warned that the legislation had become a charter for foreign criminals and terrorists. Theresa May called for it to be ditched so the Home Office could be freed from its shackles.

Put on the spot, Cameron said he, too, wanted the hugely unpopular Act — passed by Labour in 1998 — to be axed and replaced with a British Bill of Rights.

But he said that being in coalition with Clegg's Liberal Democrats was making him go "slowly".

He was asked: "If the Conservatives had their way, if you were governing by yourself, you would get rid of the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights?" "Yes," he replied. "Would I like to go further and faster? Yes, I have said so."

His comments will inflame back-bench Tory lawmakers angry at the way the Lib Dems — despite their poor standing in the polls — are being allowed to frustrate sensible policies.

They also risk opening a new row with Clegg and Chris Huhne — who stubbornly refuse even to consider scrapping the Act.

Labour said the failure by the Tories to act made the party look "weak" and engaged in "fantasy politics".

Cameron had to debate the thorny issue on day one of the Tory Conference because of May's overnight intervention. She had told a Sunday newspaper: "I'd personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it."