Starmer’s law chief Lord Hermer said there was a ‘moral’ case for Britain to pay slavery reparations, praised ‘inspiring’ Just Stop Oil and branded Trump an ‘orange tyrant’_Nhy
The senior law officer in Keir Starmer’s Labour government said there was a ‘moral’ argument that the UK should pay slavery reparations, praised Just Stop Oil and branded Donald Trump an ‘orange tyrant’.
Recently rediscovered podcasts recorded by Attorney General Lord Hermer before he became a minister show his outspoken views on a number of contentions issues.
And they contain positions at odds with those recently expressed by the Prime Minister.
The former human rights barrister, who worked in the same chambers as Sir Keir, backed the removal of statues of ‘slave owners’ and controversial British Empire figures like Cecil Rhodes, who appropriated a large chunk of southern Africa.
As recently as 2023 he said that JSO protests who brought chaos and travel misery to the streets of London with a string of high-profile demonstrations were ‘inspiring’ actions by young people ‘concerned about the future of the planet’.
And in 2020, after Trump lost the US presidency to Joe Biden, he told the podcast the Republican was an ‘orange tyrant’, a ‘coward’ and an ‘autocratic populist’ who ran a government of ‘chaos and hatred’.
The comments, unearthed by the Times, come as Sir Keir tried to maintain ties with the new Trump administration.
The PM has also criticised JSO and the removal of statues by Black Lives Matter protesters.
Recently rediscovered podcasts recorded by Attorney General Lord Hermer before he became a minister show his outspoken views on a number of contentions issues.
The former human rights barrister, who worked in the same chambers as Sir Keir, backed the removal of statues of ‘slave owners’ and controversial British Empire figures like Cecil Rhodes, who appropriated a large chunk of southern Africa.
And in 2020, after Trump lost the US presidency to Joe Biden, he told the podcast the Republican was an ‘orange tyrant’, a ‘coward’ and an ‘autocratic populist’ who ran a government of ‘chaos and hatred’.
It comes amid growing rows over whether the UK should pay financial reparations to its former colonies that could run into the trillions of pounds.
Sir Keir faced down efforts at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last year to get an agreement, driven by Caribbean states.
Allies of Lord Hermer told the Times the podcast were recorded years ago and his views did not influence his legal advice to the government.
In recent weeks questions have been raised about whether Lord Hermer’s previous work – including representing former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams – could result in possible conflicts of interest in his Government work.
Last month the Times reported that the minister was facing backlash from Cabinet colleagues following changes to Government guidance on legal risk.
He is also being blamed for the government’s decision to cede control of the strategically important Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.
But a Number 10 spokesman said that Sir Keir Starmer has ‘absolute confidence’ in the Attorney General.
The spokesman also said it is ‘a matter of public record that Lord Hermer has ceased all private practice following his appointment as Attorney General’ and has declared his previous roles.
‘There are different requirements for the declarations of both Lords and MPs, as set out in the respective code of conducts,’ the spokesman added.
Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer has confidence in his top legal adviser, the spokesman said: ‘He has absolute confidence in him.’
He added: ‘Let’s be clear about the effects of not engaging properly with the law as a Government.
‘Failing to do so leads to judicial reviews which delay projects, routinely cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds and end up blocking exactly the type of major new infrastructure that everyone accepts the country desperately needs
‘Taking the law properly into account is important, but we’re also acting to make sure the law isn’t simply used to block progress at any cost.’
But a Number 10 spokesman said that Sir Keir Starmer has ‘absolute confidence’ in the Attorney General.
