Pressure grows on PM’s top legal aide as he faces calls to withdraw from consulting on certain government decisions over Ulster payout ‘conflict of interest’_Nhy
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.
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Ministers making last-minute changes to travel plans could have to pay compensation to their OWN bodyguards under Labour’s workers’ rights bonanza
Ministers who make last-minute changes to their travel plans may have to pay compensation to their own bodyguards under Labour’s workers’ rights bonanza, it can be revealed.
Under Labour’s controversial Employment Rights Bill, workers on ‘zero-hours contracts’ will be entitled to payments if their shifts are cancelled or changed at short notice.
But a private firm which provides security arrangements for the Government has pointed out that ministers themselves work unpredictable hours.
It could lead to the spectacle of Whitehall departments or their suppliers being penalised if the senior MPs behind the new law have to call on their Close Protection Officers to accompany them on work trips without giving them enough warning in advance.
Outsourcing giant Mitie said in new written evidence on the legislation: ‘It is crucial to consider that shifts may change for various reasons, and the definition of “reasonable notice” could be subjective depending on the industry, job role, and individual worker preferences.
‘For example, at Mitie, we employ around 100 Close Protection Officers (CPOs), who work with high-profile individuals, including Government ministers, who may have irregular schedules.
‘As their clients’ plans change, officers’ shifts must be adjusted accordingly to ensure continued protection.
‘As well, if new information regarding a threat or incident emerges, shifts may need to be altered to provide adequate coverage and protection for the customer.
Under Labour’s controversial Employment Rights Bill, workers on ‘zero-hours contracts’ will be entitled to payments if their shifts are cancelled or changed at short notice
Outsourcing giant Mitie said in new written evidence on the legislation: ‘It is important the Government works with businesses to understand the complexity of hours insecurity, as well as permitting some flexibility for employers that need to adapt to fluctuating demand.’ Picture: Stock image
‘We also have employees who are employed specifically as Relief Officers whose job is to provide short notice cover where needed (for example due to sickness absence). It is inherent within the role that any notice of a shift may be last-minute.’
It urged the Government to set out what is meant by ‘short notice’ for cancellation before ‘enshrining penalties in law’.
‘It is important the Government works with businesses to understand the complexity of hours insecurity, as well as permitting some flexibility for employers that need to adapt to fluctuating demand.’
A Conservative party spokesman told the Mail: ‘Labour Ministers clearly haven’t read the small print of their union bill, and haven’t spotted it will enfeeble their own bodyguards.
‘As well as costing the taxpayer money and undermining their security, it shows how impractical these drastic changes are.’
But a Government spokesman insisted: ‘Of course we take anyone’s safety incredibly seriously and the Employment Rights Bill will not jeopardise security staff’s ability to do that in any way.
‘This Government is on the side of working people, and we recognise that the movement of a shift at short notice disadvantages workers financially and impacts their ability to plan their lives.
That’s why workers will be given new rights to reasonable notice of shifts, with details to be set out in regulations following consultation with business.’
A private firm which provides security arrangements for the Government has pointed out that ministers themselves work unpredictable hours. Picture: Stock image
The Government has already admitted that ‘payments for short notice shift cancellation or curtailment’ will be one of the four policies in the Employment Rights Bill with the ‘highest costs to business’.
An impact assessment published last autumn states: ‘We estimate that the value of unavoidable cancellations for businesses that face unpredictable demand could be between £90m to £120 million per year, and there will also be costs to employers of additional workforce planning to avoid shift cancellations, valued at up to £200 million per year.’
Overall the Government believes the legislation, which also scraps anti-strike rules and gives workers far more rights on day one in a new job, will cost firms up to £5billion a year but business leaders fear the damage will be far greater.
Earlier this week CBI President Rupert Soames warns it risks increasing unemployment and becoming ‘an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers’.
There are even fears it could lead to pub landlords banning drinkers from talking about controversial topics such as transgender rights, under the requirement for employers to prevent their workers being harassed by third parties.
