LETTER: ECHR is not part of the EU

Phillip James (letter, 23 June) appears to think that the European Court of Human Rights is part of the EU. Nothing of the sort! He needs to distinguish between the (political) European Union and the (geographical) continent of Europe.
The Court of Human Rights relates to the latter, of which Britain has always been a part, and still is; and its remit has no connection with Russia or China.
The Court of Human Rights was established early after WW2 following an era which had shown widespread disregard (to say the least) of human rights. It was endorsed by Churchill and was largely designed and set up by members of the British legal profession. It is good that such a facility exists.
Our present government has shown it is not always committed to the observance of law – a dangerous tendency for all of us. It has more than once hinted at interference with legal independence, the latter being part of the bedrock of a free society.
I believe it is time for a more general understanding of the key elements of our constitution, which is endangered by government tampering, but which is the thing which above all ensures our freedom.
John Tippler
Spalding