AN East Ayrshire charity was part of a delegation which visited Westminster.

Along with several other similar organisations and voluntary groups, Kilmarnock-based Break The Silence are campaigning for human rights to be protected and reinforced as Brexit unfolds.

Almost 200 Scottish civil society organisations, including Break The Silence charity, have now signed the Scotland Declaration on Human Rights, which was drafted with the intention of sending a clear message to policy makers, the public and the world that Scotland is actively committed to equality and human rights.

Among the politicians who met the deputation which travelled over the border was MP Alan Brown who is concerned about the potential loss of equality and rights protections as a consequence of the UK voting to leave the EU.

He said: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 70th birthday this year and states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. That is as true now as it was then, and we need to ensure this sentiment is reflected in reality.

"In many cases, European human rights legislation has dragged the UK in to the 21st century, creating a better society for us all. European legislation has also helped advance rights for particular groups, including women, workers and disabled people – advancing equal pay, ensuring better holidays and conditions and improving accessibility on public transport.

"As Britain leaves the EU, withdraws from the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, touts a new ‘British Bill of Rights’ and sets course to transform in to a low tax, low regulation country, all of these hard won rights and protections are in real jeopardy. We need the UK Government to make concrete commitments to protect human rights and, where they are unwilling to do so, ensure the Scottish Parliament has the ability to ensure they are retained in Scotland.”

Visit www.humanrightsdeclaration.scot/ for more information.