Robert Jenrick defends decision to cover up murals as he seeks Tory leadership

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Asked if the reports were true by an audience member at a Conservative Party conference fringe event, Mr Jenrick instead sought to justify his tough stance on migration, and claimed leaving the European Convention on Human Rights would ultimately “save lives”. “So we did think it would be important that we change the way in which those centres operate so there is a degree of law enforcement.” Mr Jenrick emphasised it was his “overwhelming priority” as immigration minister to treat migrants coming to the UK with care and compassion, and said he did a lot of work to move children out of unsuitable accommodation when he started in the role. “Children, young adults, will not be out in that situation ever again.” The Conservative leadership candidate told the audience at the fringe event the current contest to succeed Rishi Sunak was a battle to “leave or remain” within the ECHR.