Lords rule HRA does not apply to private care homes

Jon Bright (London, OK): The House of Lords rejected today the case of an 83 year-old Alzheimer's patient who faces eviction from her private care home. Lawyers for the patient had argued that to move her would have violated her right to family life, something guaranteed under the Human Rights Act. The ruling effectively ensures that the HRA will not apply to private care homes, even those run under contract from public bodies, and could affect up to 300,000 patients in the UK. Anna Fairclough, the lawyer handling Liberty's intervention in the case, said she was "very disappointed" by the decision. Meanwhile, Peter Facey, director of Unlock Democracy, claimed the ruling showed the need for a "Bill of Rights" to strengthen existing weak legislation. "We shouldn't have to depend on politicians and lawyers to protect our most basic liberties" he said.