BBC Newsnight erupted into a fierce clash (Image: BBC)

BBC Newsnight erupted into a fierce clash as host Victoria Derbyshire rowed with Reform UK’s Richard Tice over the European Convention on Human Rights. In a tense showdown live on-air, Victoria confronted him about the Good Friday Agreement, asking: “I want to check that you still believe in following the result of referendums.”

Tice responded: “Yes I do. We’re quite good at referendums-“ but was cut off by BBC host Derbyshire, who said: “Okay, well pause it right there, because you say you will pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights, which as you know is embedded in the Good Friday Agreement, which ended 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland. People voted overwhelmingly in two referendums, north and south on the island of Ireland in favour of the Good Friday Agreement. You say you want to pull out of the ECHR which is unravelling their democratic vote.”

Tice argued: “No it’s not, that’s a complete misinterpretation and a mis-statement of the reality. The ECHR is in the Good Friday Agreement, but the agreement does not say that the United Kingdom must stay in the ECHR.

“It is specifically with regard to legislation in Northern Ireland and there are a number of different ways that different barristers interpret it. It’s been discussed and debated in Parliament, there are barristers that have advised me for example who say actually it doesn’t unravel the Good Friday Agreement if the United Kingdom leaves the ECHR, it’s a very specific point.”

Derbyshire said: “Right. But people voted for the Good Friday Agreement as it was set up, which involves the ECHR. However-“

Tice argued with the BBC presenter (Image: BBC)

But she was interrupted in another tense moment as Tice insisted: “And that doesn’t necessarily legally need to change. That is the reality.”

Derbyshire fumed: “That doesn’t make sense! You say you pull the UK out of the ECHR, which is fundamental to the Good Friday Agreement.”

Reform’s deputy leader said: “Let me try- let me repeat again, so that it’s clear. The Good Friday Agreement does not require the United Kingdom to stay in the ECHR. It is specifically about legislation that is passed in Northern Ireland.”

But a doubtful Derbyshire responded: “Okay. Well I’m not sure if that’s correct,” as Tice replied: “Well different lawyers and barristers often disagree on things. That’s the advice I’ve received because I specifically asked this a number of months ago.”