Sir Keir Starmer’s top legal adviser last night faced calls to withdraw from consulting on certain government decisions amid ‘conflict of interest’ fears.
An audit shows Lord Hermer KC, the Attorney General and a specialist human rights lawyer before joining Sir Keir’s Cabinet, has previously represented Gerry Adams.
It comes amid a row over Labour’s decision to table a law change paving the way for the ex-Sinn Fein leader to get taxpayer-funded compensation, which was last night branded ‘perverse’ and ‘offensive’ by IRA victims.
Until now, Mr Adams – twice detained without trial during the Troubles – and hundreds of other former suspected Northern Irish terrorists have been blocked from getting payouts for alleged unlawful detention in the 70s.
Sir Keir Starmer’s, pictured, top legal adviser last night faced calls to withdraw from consulting on certain government decisions amid ‘conflict of interest’ fears
An audit shows Lord Hermer KC, pictured, the Attorney General and a specialist human rights lawyer before joining Sir Keir’s Cabinet, has previously represented Gerry Adams.
Legislation passed under the previous Tory administration in 2023 has been blocking them. But Labour ministers are planning to repeal this after Northern Ireland’s High Court ruled last year that the 2023 legislation breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.
Just over a year ago, Lord Hermer represented Mr Adams in a lawsuit brought against him by three victims of Provisional IRA bombings. He has said he can’t reveal whether he gave ministers advice about the proposed law change, citing the Law Officers’ Convention.
Lord Hermer advocated for jihadi bride Shamima Begum, arguing she should be allowed to return to Britain. And In 2023, he represented the families of Afghan civilians at the Independent Inquiry on Afghanistan.
Jason McCue, who acted for the families of the Real IRA’s 1998 Omagh bombing, said Labour’s move was ‘perverse’ when other ‘more worthy non-protagonist’ victims of the Troubles were being denied such funds.
