Jenrick asks top civil servant to investigate Attorney General
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The Government’s top civil servant has been asked to investigate “potential conflicts of interest” in relation to ministers’ top legal adviser. Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald to request an investigation into Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer KC as a result of his previous legal work.
Mr Jenrick raised questions about four of Lord Hermer’s previous cases, which he proposed could raise potential conflicts of interest in his work with Government. These included “representation of Gerry Adams in matters related to the Legacy Act” and “representation of Afghan families in the ongoing Afghanistan Inquiry”.
Mr Jenrick claimed the matters “raise serious questions about the management of potential conflicts of interest at the highest levels of Government legal service” and asked that the Cabinet Secretary “investigate these matters and revert to me as a matter of urgency”.
It comes after the Attorney General faced questions last week over his role in the Government’s proposed repeal of legislation that put a stop to civil claims from Troubles internees such as Mr Adams. Last week Lord Hermer came under fire when questioned by MPs for refusing to confirm whether he had advised the Government on repealing the laws.
