Attorney General Faces Criticism Over Legal Guidance Impacting Government Policy

Keir Starmer defends Richard Hermer as tensions rise within the Labour Cabinet over delays attributed to stricter legal advice protocols.

Attorney General Richard Hermer has been accused by ministers of causing delays in government policy through tightened legal guidance requiring stronger legal defensibility in court.
Hermer reversed relaxed guidelines introduced by former Attorney General Suella Braverman, emphasizing adherence to domestic and international law to avoid judicial challenges.
Ministers claim the stricter guidance has created a 'freeze on government,' with delays reported in policies such as the border security bill and the Hillsborough law.
Hermer has faced additional scrutiny for not disclosing past earnings from private legal cases, contrasting with transparency shown by his deputies.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed full confidence in Hermer, emphasizing the importance of legally robust policies to prevent costly and disruptive court challenges.