143-498: Richard Simon Hermer, Baron Hermer , PC , KC (born 1968) is a British barrister and life peer who has served as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland since July 2024. Born and raised in Wales, Hermer attended Cardiff High School . He went on to study politics and modern history at the University of Manchester and later pursued
286-499: A criminal justice system with some significant problems", but expressed his confidence in the Crown Prosecution Service, the police and judiciary 's ability to "cope with the task" that they were presented. Hermer attributed the "swift" and "severe" justice that followed the riots as having a significant role in bringing the disorder to an end. He said that people who intended to continue with criminal activity received
429-631: A "complex issue" which he said could not be "effectively explored" unless the "potential victim" was "able to meaningfully participate by providing evidence in her appeal." In July 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that Begum should have been allowed to return to the UK to appeal the decision to remove her citizenship, but in March 2021, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal's decision and refused Begum leave to enter
572-532: A Section 34 dispersal notice covering Bolton . There were again demonstrations by far-right protesters and anti-racist counter-protesters, who were kept separate by the police. In Middlesbrough rioters targeted houses and cars in a residential area, smashing windows. Multiple cars were set alight and burning wheelie bins were pushed at a line of police officers, who were also targeted by missiles. Teesside University 's Olympia Building had its windows broken, as did some houses and cars. Cleveland Police said that
715-487: A cell." During the The Eras Tour by singer Taylor Swift , the metropolitan police provided Swift with a tax-payer funded escort. The Met initially dismissed the idea of giving Swift enhanced security and warned that giving her VVIP protection would breach its long standing protocols. The stance of the met reportedly shifted after Hermer was asked to intervene in the case. It was reported that Hermer effectively provided
858-458: A fake story demonising Muslims and people of colour and leading to riots on the streets". Former security minister Stephen McPartland accused Russia and Vladimir Putin's regime of involvement in the campaign of misinformation, describing it as "part of the Russian playbook". Days later, The Independent reported that misinformation and conspiracy regarding the suspect remained and appeared to be
1001-782: A few institutions in the United Kingdom . The Judicial Committee also hears very occasional appeals from a number of ancient and ecclesiastical courts. These include the Church Commissioners , the Arches Court of Canterbury , the Chancery Court of York , prize courts, the High Court of Chivalry , and the Court of Admiralty of the Cinque Ports . This committee usually consists of members of
1144-493: A greater audience when repeated by the website Channel3Now , a website known for spreading fake news . Russia was accused of being behind a deliberate disinformation campaign, and as of 5 August 2024, the National Crime Agency and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are investigating such claims. A newly-created Southport-themed Telegram group became inundated with misinformation, including from
1287-523: A hundred protesters shouting anti-immigrant slogans gathered in Liverpool on the same evening. On 3 August, numerous far-right rallies and counter-protests occurred in England. In Leeds , approximately 150 protesters chanted slogans such as "You're not English anymore", with around 250 counter-protesters chanting "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here". In Manchester, 150 protesters took part in
1430-605: A legal career, being called to the bar in 1993. He joined Doughty Street Chambers in the same year and took silk in 2009, before leaving in 2012 to join Matrix Chambers . He later became the Chair of Matrix's Management Committee, and was appointed a deputy High Court judge in 2019. He has worked on numerous Supreme Court cases, including Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc and Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc . He also argued that Shamima Begum should have been allowed to return to
1573-608: A local mosque, with missiles thrown at riot police. Three officers were injured and 10 people were arrested. In Manchester, 'scuffles' with police led to two arrests. Two people were arrested in Leicester city centre and a protest on The Headrow in Leeds led to one arrest. Twenty arrests were made in Blackpool after violent disorder broke out amongst nearly 1,000 protesters, with bottles and other projectiles thrown at police. Attendees of
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#17328526107531716-588: A minority throwing objects and subjecting people to racial abuse. The organiser of a march in Middlesbrough was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. On the evening of 2 August, protesters gathered in Sunderland 's Keel Square for a march around the city centre. Mounted officers from Northumbria Police attended the demonstration along with officers in riot gear. Police and protesters clashed outside
1859-530: A mosque in St Mark's Road after some of the marchers attempted to approach the building. The protesters chanted "save our kids" and "we want our country back", as well as slogans in support of Tommy Robinson, and Islamophobic slurs. An Uber taxi was burnt and shops looted. Sunderland Central police station was set alight, and trains to Sunderland station were cancelled or diverted to St Peter's . Four officers were hospitalised and 12 people were arrested. Around
2002-512: A nine-years. As of 1 September 1,280 arrests and nearly 800 charges had been made in relation to the unrest. The riots began in Southport, just a few streets away from where the attack took place. A demonstration outside the Southport Mosque quickly turned violent and protesters attacked police officers, injuring over fifty, burned a police van, and attacked the mosque. Over the following days
2145-512: A number of properties on Parliament Road and the Crown Court building were significantly damaged, and a total of 43 people were arrested in connection to the disorder. There was further rioting outside a second Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth , which had been housing asylum seekers. Objects were thrown at the building and at the police, one of whom was injured, windows were smashed and part of
2288-465: A practice of unlawfully killing Afghan civilians"; later saying that this meant they were "conducting a campaign of murder" which he said was a "war crime amounting to grave breaches of the Geneva convention." He also stated on 11 October that the existence of serious suspicions of extra-judicial killings were "widely known at the highest levels of government … even in 10 downing street." Following evidence that
2431-508: A priority despite knowing that it was dangerous. He said that after studies indicated that the pollution level was soaring, the council took seven years to make the first strategic needs assessment; going on to describe it as a "glacial pace in the context of a public health emergency." Hermer was instructed by Hodge Jones and Allen in the case, and the inquest later found that Ella-Kissi Debrah had died of air pollution . In July 2024, after Rosamund Kissi-Debrah announced that she would be suing
2574-411: A professor of political communication at Loughborough University , described a viral tweet as being "deliberately fabricated to generate hostility toward ethnic minorities and immigrants, and it's a potentially Islamophobic piece of propaganda". Matthew Feldman , an expert on right-wing extremism, commented "It is difficult to think of a much better example of online harms breaching the real world than
2717-576: A protest in Weymouth . Anti-racism protesters gathered in Cardiff following a far-right protest which had been planned, where they encountered some far-right demonstrators outside the Senedd , though no conflict materialised. In Birmingham , a group of locals gathered around a mosque in anticipation of a far-right protest which was rumoured to be scheduled in the area. Individuals were observed keeping watch around
2860-587: A public statement stating that the attacker was a white man and had been arrested. In Doncaster , a planned far-right protest was cancelled after only one person showed up. In Wath upon Dearne in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham , there were demonstrations by anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters, with the former outnumbering the latter. There was then rioting outside a Holiday Inn Express hotel which had housed asylum seekers , where mask-wearing anti-immigration demonstrators threw objects at
3003-705: A secretary of state. The Committee, which last met in 1988, is concerned with the design and usage of wafer seals . The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the executive committee of the Privy Council and the senior decision-making body of British Government . The Judicial Committee serves as the final court of appeal for the Crown Dependencies , the British Overseas Territories , some Commonwealth countries, military sovereign base areas and
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#17328526107533146-604: A smaller working committee which evolved into the modern Cabinet . By the end of the English Civil War , the monarchy, House of Lords, and Privy Council had been abolished. The remaining parliamentary chamber , the House of Commons , instituted a Council of State to execute laws and to direct administrative policy. The forty-one members of the Council were elected by the House of Commons;
3289-545: A statement the police revealed that six arrests had been made relating to the disorder and 'several' officers were injured, as well as some members of the public, two of whom were hospitalised. Outside England, there was further violence in the Sandy Row area of Belfast, Northern Ireland. A business was targeted for a second time, and armoured police Land Rovers were attacked with petrol bombs and bricks. Police fired two plastic bullets at rioters in response. A man in his 50s
3432-414: A wide array of political topics", but said that they never fell out over politics. Hermer was raised in Wales and attended Cardiff High School , before studying politics and modern history at the University of Manchester . In his youth, Hermer was a volunteer for the magazine Searchlight ; which later described him as an "active and dedicated" anti-fascist who worked closely with the magazine while he
3575-446: Is a formal body of advisers to the sovereign of the United Kingdom . Its members, known as privy counsellors , are mainly senior politicians who are current or former members of either the House of Commons or the House of Lords . The Privy Council formally advises the sovereign on the exercise of the royal prerogative . The King-in-Council issues executive instruments known as Orders in Council . The Privy Council also holds
3718-521: Is enough", "save our kids", and " stop the boats " (the latter in reference to migrant crossings of the English Channel ), with Robinson being a central figure in calls to hold riots. Writing for The Observer , Shabana Mahmood , the Secretary of State for Justice , suggested the impact of the disorder would be "felt for months and years to come" as the volume of cases linked to the riots going through
3861-577: Is one of two Jewish members in Starmer's cabinet , along with Ed Miliband . On 15 July, Hermer was sworn in as Attorney General at the Royal Courts of Justice by Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill , Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales , alongside Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Solicitor General Sarah Sackman . In his swearing-in speech, Hermer stated that legal analysis of the law officers would "always be guided by law not politics", and that it
4004-534: The Belfast Islamic Centre , but were blocked by police. Instead, they attacked several immigrant-owned businesses on Botanic Avenue. Violence continued in the Sandy Row area that night, where a supermarket and a café owned by immigrants were burnt out. Cars were burned and missiles were thrown at police, injuring three officers. Four people were arrested for the violence. Elsewhere in Northern Ireland,
4147-626: The Cabinet . With the creation of the United Kingdom on 1 January 1801, a single Privy Council was created for Great Britain and Ireland, although the Privy Council of Ireland continued to exist until 1922, when it was abolished upon the creation of the Irish Free State as an independent Dominion outside the United Kingdom, but within the British Empire . The Privy Council of Northern Ireland
4290-716: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Zubaydah alleged that between 2002 and 2006 he was unlawfully rendered by agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland and Thailand (the six countries), where he was arbitrarily detained and subjected to extreme mistreatment and torture. He had brought the claim in English courts, as he alleged that UK intelligence services were complicit in
4433-564: The House of Commons , pointed out that Hermer had authored a chapter in the book titled "Corporate Complicity in Israel's Occupation: Evidence from the London session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine", which Clarke said was edited by some "interesting" people Clarke feared "in the most negative sense", and went on to ask if Hermer was really the "calibre of individual" who should have been advising
Richard Hermer, Baron Hermer - Misplaced Pages Continue
4576-474: The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 ). The Crown-in-Council was formerly the supreme appellate court for the entire British Empire , but a number of Commonwealth countries have now abolished the right to such appeals. The Judicial Committee continues to hear appeals from several Commonwealth countries, from British Overseas Territories , Sovereign Base Areas and Crown Dependencies . The Judicial Committee had direct jurisdiction in cases relating to
4719-575: The International Court of Justice . He also said that the government would be "unwavering" in its commitment to tackle climate change . Hermer has advocated for reform of the UN security council to include permanent representation from Africa, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany. He attended a UN Security Council meeting on 24 October 2024 in New York where he called for the empowering of women and girls so that
4862-626: The M5 motorway was closed due to protest activity in Newtownabbey , and there were protests in Bangor and Carrickfergus . In Cardiff , reports of a planned far-right protest, which never materialised, led to an anti-racism demonstration. A woman was stabbed on King Street in Stirling and there was online speculation from anti-Islam campaigner Tommy Robinson that the attacker was Muslim. Police Scotland issued
5005-591: The Scotland Act 1998 , the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Northern Ireland Act 1998 , but this was transferred to the new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 2009. The Scottish Universities Committee considers proposed amendments to the statutes of Scotland's four ancient universities . 2024 United Kingdom riots Far-right anti-immigration protesters: Supported by: Government of
5148-850: The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and senior judges of the Commonwealth of Nations who are Privy Counsellors. Within the United Kingdom, the Judicial Committee hears appeals from ecclesiastical courts , the Admiralty Court of the Cinque Ports, Prize Courts and the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons , appeals against schemes of the Church Commissioners and appeals under certain Acts of Parliament (e.g.,
5291-420: The final court of appeal for the entire British Empire (other than for the United Kingdom itself). It continues to hear judicial appeals from some other independent Commonwealth countries , as well as Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories . The Privy Council of the United Kingdom, created on 1 January 1801, was preceded by the Privy Council of Scotland , the Privy Council of England , and
5434-570: The "Enough is Enough" protest, while 350 locals turned out for the "Stop the Far Right" counter-protest. In Nottingham , clashes were reported between opposing groups of protesters. In Liverpool, two groups who had been taking part in separate protests joined up at the Pier Head before moving on to The Strand and Church Street. Many shops were damaged and looted as Spellow Library, a community hub in Walton
5577-499: The "clearest message within days" that there was a "price to pay", and also said that people saw in the "clearest and starkest terms" that justice could be swift and severe which he said played a "major role" in getting the streets safe. He additionally said that people could not "hide behind a keyboard" and said that the authorities would prosecute those who incited "racial and religious hatred online", and commented that anybody who had committed "a serious offence" would "find themselves in
5720-517: The CIA's black sites in each of the six countries acted as "de facto exclaves " where the laws and jurisdictions of the country did not run, and later described how the UK services opportunistically took advantage of the state of affairs that the CIA had brought about, which Hermer said made them complicit in that conduct. On 20 December 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in a majority 4-1 decision that English law
5863-436: The Chair of Matrix's Management committee, and was also colleague of Sarah Sackman whilst working there. During his career, Hermer specialised in human rights law , public law and environmental law , with The Guardian later describing him as an "expert on international law". His practice spanned public international law and private international law as well as domestic public law and private law . In 2000, Hermer
Richard Hermer, Baron Hermer - Misplaced Pages Continue
6006-591: The Civil Service (Amendment) Order in Council 1997, permitted the Prime Minister to grant up to three political advisers management authority over some Civil Servants. In the 1960s, the Privy Council made an order to evict an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 inhabitants of the 55-island Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, in preparation for the establishment of a joint United States–United Kingdom military base on
6149-472: The Council — which later became the Court of the Star Chamber — was during the 15th century permitted to inflict any punishment except death, without being bound by normal court procedure . During Henry VIII 's reign, the sovereign, on the advice of the Council, was allowed to enact laws by mere proclamation. The legislative pre-eminence of Parliament was not restored until after Henry VIII's death. By 1540
6292-740: The Court of Appeal were persuaded by this argument, but in 2007 the Law Lords of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords found the original decision to be flawed and overturned the ruling by a 3–2 decision, thereby upholding the terms of the Order in Council. As of 2023, negotiations between the Mauritian and UK governments that included the sovereignty of the Chagossians were still ongoing. The Privy Council has committees: The Baronetage Committee
6435-520: The King-in-Council, although in practice its actual work of hearing and deciding upon cases is carried out day-to-day by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council . The Judicial Committee consists of senior judges appointed as privy counsellors: predominantly justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and senior judges from the Commonwealth . The Privy Council formerly acted as
6578-544: The Laschs had a "different emphasis" compared to the STCs, due to better trained staff and higher staff ratios. In December 2008, following calls from Rickwood's mother for a second inquest, Hermer said that Rickwood had died due to "systemic failures" and the use of an "unlawful" restraint technique. On 17 December when he opened the case, Hermer said that Rickwood was a "deeply troubled and deeply vulnerable child", and went on to say that
6721-679: The Lord Protector, subject to Parliament's approval. In 1659, shortly before the restoration of the monarchy , the Protector's Council was abolished. King Charles II restored the Royal Privy Council, but he, like previous Stuart monarchs, chose to rely on a small group of advisers. The formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707 combined the Privy Councils of England and Scotland,
6864-410: The Mercure Hotel after receiving information that far-right protesters might target the location, as it housed asylum seekers. The anti-racist protesters arrived at the hotel shortly before the far-right group and the police. The protesters faced violent attempts by the far-right to force their way through the protective line and into the hotel. Avon and Somerset Police arrested 14 people in relation to
7007-404: The Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2003. In May 2007, Hermer represented the family of Adam Rickwood, who was the youngest person to die in custody in the modern era. The Youth Justice Board decided to send Rickwood to Hassockfield Secure Training Centre rather than one of the five local security authority children's homes (Lasch), and during the inquiry Hermer told the jury that
7150-398: The Privy Council of Great Britain (1708–1800). Its continued existence has been described as "more or less a constitutional and historical accident". The key events in the formation of the modern Privy Council are given below: In Anglo-Saxon England , the Witenagemot was an early equivalent to the Privy Council of England . During the reigns of the Norman monarchs , the English Crown
7293-410: The SAS deleted data from its computers which was in breach of promises it had made to the Royal Military Police , Hermer said that it was at best "highly suspicious", and at worst a "patent and criminal attempt to pervert the course of justice." Hermer has been a supporter of the Labour Party since he was a teenager. He has previously been involved with the Labour Campaign for Human Rights (LCHR), and
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#17328526107537436-472: The UK to participate in her appeal. In June 2020, Hermer represented the claimants, who were Nigerian citizens who commenced two sets of proceedings against the Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS) and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), in Supreme Court case Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc . On 23 June, he told the court that there were "systematic failures either to stop devastating oil spills or remedy their profound impact", and also said that
7579-437: The United Kingdom : Northern Ireland Executive Supported by: Counter-protesters : Supported by: From 30 July to 5 August 2024, far-right , anti-immigration protests and riots occurred in England and Northern Ireland, within the United Kingdom. This followed a mass stabbing in Southport on 29 July in which three children were killed. The riots were fuelled by false claims circulated by far-right groups that
7722-428: The United Kingdom to participate in her appeal when he intervened for Liberty in Begum v Home Secretary . He represented former Guantánamo Bay detainee Abu Zubaydah in Zubaydah's Supreme Court case against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He has also been involved in multiple cases related to the war on terror , including representing victims in the Afghan unlawful killings inquiry , and
7865-519: The United Kingdom which supports a two-state solution ." Hermer also said that handing such power to the Secretary of State would "seem at odds with the general tenor of government policy to decentralise power", and went on to say that history had shown the "capricious consequences" that flow when powers of that nature were "removed from hundreds of public bodies and placed exclusively in the hands of one decision maker." Conservative MP Simon Clarke , whilst addressing Communities Secretary Michael Gove in
8008-407: The Village Islamic Centre, while nearby shops closed, a hospital sent staff home, and several doctors' surgeries also closed early preparing for potential violence. Several vehicles close to Stechford police station were attacked amid the protest. A Sky News crew was followed by a man in a balaclava wielding a knife who slashed their van's tyre. Before this, the Sky News broadcast from the scene
8151-467: The actions of the two individuals were "harmful and unlawful", and added that their sentences served as a "stark warning" that "you cannot hide behind your keyboard – you will face the full force of the law." On 23 August 2024, Hermer visited Liverpool following the riots, firstly to Merseyside-Chesire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to thank officials for their roles in charging offenders, then to Spellow Lane library in Walton to donate books following
8294-452: The aid of far-right Telegram group chats affiliated with Active Club England , the terrorgram network, and football hooliganism firms . Groups involved in the riots included supporters of the defunct Islamophobic group English Defence League (EDL), including its former leader Tommy Robinson , members of the neo-Nazi hate group Patriotic Alternative , and the fascist political party Britain First . The riots were also supported by
8437-523: The area near the mosque by 21:14 and protesters began dispersing shortly after that as night fell. By 23:14, the riot had ended. A local corner shop was damaged. The Merseyside Police Federation said that over fifty officers were injured at the Southport incident, with North West Ambulance Service reporting that twenty-seven were hospitalised and twelve were discharged at the scene. Merseyside Police stated that eight officers were seriously injured and three police dogs were wounded. One man from Standish
8580-436: The attack. Sky News' Midlands correspondent Becky Cotterill posted to X the next day that the manager of the pub had told her the man had goaded his attackers by using offensive language as they walked past. He was barred from the pub for "inciting violence." In Plymouth , many businesses closed early, bus routes were diverted and a performance at the Theatre Royal was cancelled as two protests were planned to take place in
8723-408: The bill as "appallingly badly drafted" and said that the bill would "stifle free speech at home", and also said that it would have a "profoundly detrimental impact" on the ability of the UK to "protect and promote humans rights overseas." He also said that the bill "effectively equates the OPT with Israel itself" which he said meant it was "very difficult to reconcile with the long-standing position of
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#17328526107538866-448: The body was headed by Oliver Cromwell , de facto military dictator of the nation. In 1653, however, Cromwell became Lord Protector , and the Council was reduced to between thirteen and twenty-one members, all elected by the Commons. In 1657, the Commons granted Cromwell even greater powers, some of which were reminiscent of those enjoyed by monarchs. The Council became known as the Protector's Privy Council ; its members were appointed by
9009-521: The building was set on fire. Three police dogs were injured, one of whom was hit in the head by a brick. In Solihull , there was a large anti-immigrant protest in the town centre, which forced the closure of the Touchwood shopping centre. Later, in the evening, West Midlands Police were called to Hermitage Road, where they dispersed two groups of people who were outside The Hub mosque. Police stated they were investigating whether one of these groups may have been connected to an anti-racism protest that
9152-431: The building, smashing a number of windows and attempting to set the building on fire with a bin full of flammable material. They were also heard to chant "Get them out". South Yorkshire Police reported that 51 officers, as well as police dogs and horses, were injured during the violence in Rotherham, where concrete blocks, chairs, fire extinguishers and tree branches were thrown at them. Greater Manchester Police issued
9295-494: The case. He urged to the court the point that the significance of the injuries that occurred in the six countries was reduced because Zubaydah was not voluntarily present in any of the six countries, as he was unlawfully taken and detained there by the CIA. He also argued that those six countries were chosen by the CIA because the local law could be evaded, and also said that the CIA "acting within their own law" and "operating their own framework of value and law". He also underlined how
9438-411: The city. Plymouth City Council warned residents to stay away from the city centre as Devon and Cornwall Police said they would be increasing their presence there. Police lined Royal Parade as the two groups of protesters – one anti-fascist and the other far-right – faced off, throwing items including glass and stones at each other as one woman on the anti-fascist side was injured by a flying item. As
9581-472: The claimants have had to endure", and said that the settlement is "purely of the civil claims for compensation", and went on to say that it "does not right the wrong" and "does not secure accountability". In July 2023, he acted as an advisor to the Labour Party regarding the proposed Economic Activity of Public Bodies bill, which was known as the Anti-BDS bill. In his opinion which was commissioned by David Lammy and Lisa Nandy , Hermer described Clause 1 of
9724-436: The claimants in Ashley v Chief Constable of Sussex , regarding the shooting of James Ashley. In 2008, after the defendant supplied a copy of the Moonstone Report to the advisers of the claimants, but the scope of the redactions were disputed; Hermer argued that anything to the discredit of the defendant should have been disclosed because it could have potentially aggravated damages, but the judge rejected this. In 2017, Hermer
9867-413: The claims of Adams as a "representative" of the PIRA, but did not argue that entire claims against Adams should be struck out. In January 2024, Justice Soole ruled that the claimants could not sue the PIRA or Adams as a "representative", but could continue in a personal capacity. In 2024, Hermer was instructed by the family of a British soldier who was murdered by the IRA in 1991, which was a challenge to
10010-451: The country, failing to appear at a High Court hearing to which he had been summonsed for alleged contempt of court . By 20:37, protesters began throwing objects at the mosque and police, leaving one officer injured. A police van was set alight as police deployed smoke canisters. Merseyside Police requested officers from Greater Manchester Police , Cheshire Constabulary , Lancashire Police , and North Wales Police . Riot police cleared
10153-455: The courts would affect government plans to address a backlog of cases. At approximately 20:05 BST , hundreds of protesters gathered outside Southport Mosque chanting, "No surrender!" and "English till I die!" Within several minutes, protesters clashed with police. Protesters barricaded themselves and shouted " Tommy Robinson ", a far-right activist who founded the EDL. Robinson had been arrested and then released two days prior, before he fled
10296-514: The damage to community hubs there, and lastly to Southport where he met with members of the community at Southport Mosque (the initial target of the Southport riots). Hermer said that he was "acutely aware" of the work that the CPS did with the police to "bring justice" and the role that it had in "quashing the criminality" that was seen on the streets. On his visit to the Spellow Lane library, he said that
10439-496: The damage to the mangrove fields covered 13,000 hectares which was more than twice the area of Manhattan . In February 2021, in a landmark judgement the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favour that the claims of the 50,000 Nigerian villagers against the Royal Dutch Shell must proceed to trial. Between 2021 and 2023, Hermer represented Abu Zubaydah , a Palestinian former Guantanamo Bay detainee, in his case filed against
10582-830: The dates of bank holidays . The Privy Council formerly had sole power to grant academic degree-awarding powers and the title of university , but following the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 these powers have been transferred to the Office for Students for educational institutions in England. Before the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 the Civil Service was governed by powers of royal prerogative . These powers were usually delegated to ministers by Orders in Council , and were used by Margaret Thatcher to ban GCHQ staff from joining trade unions. Another,
10725-616: The decision but a unanimous decision by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in February 2020 concluded that she had not been improperly deprived of her citizenship. The case was brought to the Court of Appeal in 2020, where Liberty argued that the deprivation of citizenship by the Home Secretary was an "extremely draconian power." In written submissions in the Court of Appeal case, Hermer said that Begum
10868-466: The delegated authority to issue Orders of Council, mostly used to regulate certain public institutions. It advises the sovereign on the issuing of royal charters , which are used to grant special status to incorporated bodies, and city or borough status to local authorities. Otherwise, the Privy Council's powers have now been largely replaced by its executive committee, the Cabinet of the United Kingdom . Certain judicial functions are also performed by
11011-515: The demonstration that started in Southport, prior to involvement in the riot. HuffPost described far-right activists as having "hijacked" the vigil for the victims, and the Manchester Evening News reported "far right thugs, fuelled by lies, sought to exploit the tragedy". Merseyside Police said on the night of the riot that they believed supporters of the EDL were involved in and organised
11154-483: The disturbances. Hope Not Hate described them as supporters of Tommy Robinson. Robinson denied the EDL were involved, while arguing that the anger in Southport was justified. A prominent member of the neo-Nazi group Patriotic Alternative took part in the riot and another member helped to promote the event. The protests and riots were fuelled by wider Islamophobia, concerns over crime, anti-migration sentiment, xenophobia, nationalism and against perceived biases by
11297-574: The evening of 31 July, a group of approximately 40 demonstrators gathered outside a Holiday Inn in Manchester , which was purportedly housing asylum seekers . Chants were heard of the group exclaiming "we want our country back", a phrase associated with far-right groups in the UK. Two people were arrested. Demonstrations also broke out in the County Durham town of Hartlepool on the same evening. Objects including eggs and glass bottles were thrown at
11440-464: The event were also critically injured. When the prime minister of the United Kingdom , Keir Starmer , laid flowers in Southport the following day, he was met with "hostile shouts" from some of the public, with one asking, "How many more, Starmer? When are you going to do something?" Following the stabbing, there was incorrect speculation online about the name of the suspected attacker. Misinformation and disinformation , including false claims about
11583-454: The far-right National Front , prior to dissemination on social media platforms. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue stated that the now-deleted "Southport Wake Up" group with 14,000 members on Telegram became integral in organising and promoting the subsequent riots, and inciting hatred and violence. Disinformation was also spread on social media by the neo-Nazi group British Movement , and accelerationist Telegram channels with links to
11726-762: The government removed its opposition to the International Criminal Court 's arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant , and has also overseen the prosecution of individuals who were involved in the 2024 riots . Richard Simon Hermer was born in South Glamorgan in 1968 to a " blue-box " Jewish family. His father, whom Hermer has described as a "proud" Conservative , was a city councillor in Cardiff and county councillor in South Glamorgan. Hermer has said that he disagreed with his father "across
11869-490: The government would be "clamping down on improper donations to political parties", and also that they would "reset relations" with the devolved governments and "foster greater collaboration". In October 2024, Hermer announced in the 2024 Bingham Lecture on the rule of law the government's project of "restoration and resilience", with three themes to guide the project: rebuilding the UK's international rule of law leadership, defending and strengthening Parliament's role in upholding
12012-503: The government, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah said that Hermer had "equated Ella's suffering to torture." In a public inquiry into the killing of 80 civilians by the SAS in Afghanistan, Hermer represented Mansour Aziz and families of the 33 victims. On 9 October 2023, in his opening statement on behalf of the families, he said that he would seek to find evidence "capable of suggesting" that the SAS were "applying
12155-518: The highest among any religious group in the country, according to government data. According to Hope not Hate, although the stabbing in Southport was the catalyst, "most of these protests and riots are more broadly focused, expressive of a wider hostility to multiculturalism, anti-Muslim and anti-migrant prejudice, as well as a visceral streak of populist anti-Government sentiment". During the protests, widespread disinformation blaming immigrants and Muslims for crime were shared online. Andrew Chadwick ,
12298-547: The inquest considered the restraint methods used on Rickwood as a pontetial contributory factor to his death. In June 2007, Hermer acted in an inquest for the families of Corporal Stephen Allbutt and Trooper David Clarke; Clarke and Allbutt were two soldiers who were killed in Iraq in a "friendly fire" incident in March 2003. The inquest, which was held in Oxford , was into Allbutt's death as no inquest could be held for Clarke as his body
12441-565: The inquest into Corporal Stephen Allbutt's death in the Iraq War . Hermer also worked on cases relating to police misconduct , including cases concerning the shooting of James Ashley and the killing of Mark Duggan . He acted for over 900 victims of the Grenfell tower fire which led to the settlement in May 2023. He represented the family of Adam Rickwood, who was the youngest person to die in custody in
12584-464: The inquest that he told Allbutt over the radio about the two friendly tanks (which had killed Allbutt and Clarke), despite there being no record of this transmission. In response, Hermer said to MacDuff "you are lying" and went on to say that it was "not a recollection" but instead a "fabrication." In November and December 2020, Hermer represented the family of Ella Kissi-Debrah in an inquest. He accused Lewisham council of failing to treat air pollution as
12727-1193: The issue, and a spokesperson said that the Met was "operationally independent." A spokesperson for Hermer claimed that the decision was "solely an operational decision for the police." Hermer himself later said that there was a convention preventing him from revealing if he had advised on the issue. On 19 July 2024, Hermer met virtually with Andriy Kostin , the prosecutor general of Ukraine . On Ukrainian Independence Day on 24 August, Hermer stated "we stand with Ukraine", and also said that "those responsible for atrocities must be held to account." Privy Council (United Kingdom) King Charles III [REDACTED] William, Prince of Wales [REDACTED] Charles III ( King-in-Council ) [REDACTED] Starmer ministry ( L ) Keir Starmer ( L ) Angela Rayner ( L ) ( King-in-Parliament ) [REDACTED] Charles III [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The Lord Reed The Lord Hodge Andrew Bailey Monetary Policy Committee The Privy Council (formally His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council )
12870-541: The largest island in the archipelago, Diego Garcia . In 2000, the High Court of Justice ruled that the inhabitants had a right to return to the archipelago. In 2004, the Privy Council, under Jack Straw 's tenure, overturned the ruling. In 2006, the High Court of Justice found the Privy Council's decision to be unlawful. Justice Kentridge stated that there was no known precedent "for the lawful use of prerogative powers to remove or exclude an entire population of British subjects from their homes and place of birth", and
13013-457: The latter body coming to an end in 1708. Under King George I , even more power transferred to a small committee of the Council, which began to meet in the absence of the sovereign, communicating its decisions to him after the fact. Thus, the Privy Council, as a whole, ceased to be a body of important confidential advisers to the Sovereign; the role passed to a committee of the Council, now known as
13156-408: The long lasting message"; saying that the message was that Britain was not represented by the "small minority of criminals" who had been "marauding" through the streets, but instead by the people who "came out to clean the streets" the following day and the "amazing young people" that Hermer had met on his visit there. During his visit to Liverpool, Hermer confirmed that there would "be more" whilst he
13299-430: The misinformation, contributing to tensions. A man was arrested by the police, who described him as white and local to the area. The release of these details was unusual and done to curb misinformation. Nick Lowles, the head of anti-racism charity Hope not Hate also apologised after falsely claiming a separate far-right acid attack on a Muslim woman. For the Southport riot, far-right activists had been promoting
13442-472: The mistreatment and torture. In 2021, the High Court held that Zubaydah's claims against the UK intelligence services were governed by the laws of the six countries, but in 2022 the Court of Appeal overturned the judgement and said that the claims were governed by English law. The case was brought to the Supreme Court, which was heard on 14 and 15 June 2023, and Hermer was instructed by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors in
13585-963: The modern era , in an inquest into Rickwood's death. He also represented the family of Ella Kissi-Debrah, who was later found to have died of air pollution . In 2022, he was appointed to the Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine , and in 2023 he acted as an advisor to the Labour Party regarding the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill . In 2023, Hermer represented former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams following damage claims brought against Adams. A friend and former colleague of Keir Starmer at Doughty Street Chambers, Hermer
13728-605: The motivating force behind the protests. Extremism experts attributed the large far-right rally in London, led by Robinson a week prior to the protests as having boosted supporters, with Robinson playing a significant role in inciting outrage. The Financial Times described the evolution of the movement from "more formally organised white-supremacist groups into personality-driven splinter groups", while capitalising on social media for outreach and organising. Police officials have described organisers as being in distinct far-right groups, organising online under banners such as "enough
13871-660: The nearby annual punk festival Rebellion formed an anti-fascist counter-protest leading to a stand-off in which chairs, bottles and planks of wood were thrown. Police reported there had also been "minor disruption" in Blackburn and Preston . Police in Bristol made multiple arrests and closed roads after protesters gathered in Castle Park , where they clashed with counter-protesters who outnumbered them. Anti-racist protesters left Castle Park and linked arms with others in front of
14014-412: The necessary legal cover for the police escort to be allowed; The Times claimed that the Met only relented after Hermer's intervention, and critics described it as "highly unusual". A Conservative party spokesperson said that Hermer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had "serious questions to answer" about the allegations around pressuring the police. The Met did not deny that Hermer had intervened in
14157-409: The need to work together for peace, progress and equality could be achieved. Following riots that occurred after the 2024 Southport stabbing , Hermer attended the emergency COBRA meetings alongside Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner , Home Secretary Yvette Cooper , other ministers, police leaders and representatives from organisations, which involved updates and plans for responses during
14300-434: The negotiations which led to the settlement of around £150,000,000 in 2023. He outlined the detail of the settlement to judge, Barbara Fontaine , at a High Court hearing in London where he said that around £50,000,000 would be allocated to a "restorative justice project", and also said that the defendants had agreed to fund an event titled "testimony week". Hermer said that "no amount of money will ever truly compensate for what
14443-487: The neo-Nazi organisation British Movement and the far-right political party National Front . Rioters clashed with local Muslims and counter-protesters , who were mobilised by Stand Up to Racism and other anti-fascist and anti-racist groups. On 29 July 2024 a knife attack took place at a Taylor Swift -themed children's yoga and dance workshop. Three children were killed and eight other children were injured, with five of them in critical condition. Two adults at
14586-428: The nineteen-member council had become a new national institution, most probably the creation of Thomas Cromwell , without there being exact definitions of its powers. Though the royal Council retained legislative and judicial responsibilities, it became a primarily administrative body. In 1553 the Council consisted of forty members÷, whereas Henry VII swore over a hundred servants to his council. Sovereigns relied on
14729-399: The opposition. In response, Gove said that Hermer had a "record" in the area and a "record of political commitments" which everyone could see "clearly predisposes him towards a political and particular view" on the question. Hermer later responded by stating that the questions inferred that his analysis was somehow influenced by some form of malign intent towards Israel, but Hermer said that "it
14872-456: The perpetrator of the attack was a Muslim and an asylum seeker , in addition to broader Islamophobic , racist, and anti-immigrant sentiments that had grown leading up to the protests. The disorder included racist attacks , arson , and looting and was the largest incident of social unrest in England since 2011 . By 8 August at least 200 people had been sentenced with 177 imprisoned, to an average sentence of around two years and up to
15015-527: The police and media. The Independent described the riots as being "sparked by Islamophobic and racist sentiments", with examples of mosques being targeted and several violent racist attacks on ethnic minorities by the far-right in Liverpool, Hull and Bristol. Politico described the cause of the violence as "Islamophobic resentment that had long brewed across the United Kingdom" as having surfaced, citing hate crimes associated with British Muslims as being
15158-470: The police in response to the latter's riot shields. Several police officers were injured and a police car was set alight. Eight people were arrested. There was also a protest outside a hotel being used by the government to house asylum seekers in Aldershot . Hampshire's police and crime commissioner Donna Jones described "mob-type" behaviour, and Hampshire Constabulary reported a crowd of 200 people, with
15301-532: The position was widely reported as a surprise, since Labour MP Emily Thornberry had served in Starmer's shadow cabinet as the Shadow Attorney General . In response to the decision, Thornberry said that Hermer was a "much more accomplished lawyer" than she could ever hope to be and that she knew Hermer would do an "outstanding job" in the position. Hermer became the first attorney general since 1922 to not have served in parliament before his appointment. He
15444-643: The possibility of further demonstrations by far-right groups in several cities across the country. Concerns of further violence were echoed by Merseyside Police. In London, the Metropolitan Police established public order conditions for a protest dubbed "Enough is Enough", the slogan of Patriotic Alternative, where far-right demonstrators clashed with police near Downing Street on 31 July. The Metropolitan Police said that 111 people were arrested for offences including assaults on officers, possession of knives and offensive weapons and violent disorder. On
15587-445: The power to grant royal assent to legislation, are a form of primary legislation, while orders made under statutory powers are a form of secondary legislation. Orders of Council , distinct from Orders in Council, are issued by members of the Privy Council without requiring the approval of the sovereign. Like Orders in Council, they can be made under statutory powers or royal prerogative. Orders of Council are most commonly used for
15730-529: The proscribed terror groups Atomwaffen Division and National Action were used to co-ordinate and organise the riots. Merseyside Police attempted to quell speculation by confirming that the name being circulated was not connected to the case and was not the suspect. The police initially released the information that the suspect was a male, aged seventeen, from Banks in Lancashire , though born in Cardiff . It
15873-414: The protests continued into the night, bottles, bricks and fireworks were thrown and arrests were made. Three police officers were carried away from the scene after being injured, with a police van being damaged. Shortly before 10 p.m., Devon and Cornwall Police reported that 150 officers were deployed in the city centre. A TK Maxx 's shopfront was smashed and brick paving was torn up in the city centre. In
16016-487: The protests. Twenty-five people were arrested in Hull , where rioters attacked police with bricks and fireworks, set vehicles alight and looted several shops, including a Shoe Zone which was set on fire, in unrest which left 11 police officers injured. A video circulated online of a mob of rioters surrounding and attacking an Asian man in his car saying the word "kill" while shouting racial slurs. A hotel housing asylum seekers
16159-513: The regulation of public institutions and regulatory bodies. The sovereign also grants royal charters on the advice of the Privy Council. Charters bestow special status to incorporated bodies ; they are used to grant chartered status to certain professional, educational or charitable bodies, and sometimes also city and borough status to towns. The Privy Council therefore deals with a wide range of matters, which also includes university and livery company statutes, churchyards , coinage and
16302-414: The riots. Hermer later provided his consent to charge several people for what was described as "stirring up racial hatred online", amidst the first sentencing of two individuals for social media-related posts during the riots. In a statement on 9 August, Hermer said that stirring up racial hatred online was "completely unacceptable" and said that it "helped fuel other criminal misconduct". Hermer said that
16445-479: The rule of law, and promoting a rule of law culture which would build public trust in the law and its institutions. In the speech, Hermer confirmed that the government would continue to abide by and unequivocally support the European Convention on Human Rights, and said that walking away total abdication of international law responsibilities. Hermer also confirmed his endorsement for Dapo Akande 's nomination to
16588-404: The space was "emblematic" of the country as it showed how a "tiny minority" could "cause havoc" and described the actions that damaged the library on 3 August as an "appalling act of criminality", but also said that the "really important thing" was that the community came together to "clean" and to "rebuild". Hermer cited his reasoning for visiting Southport mosque as to promote what was "going to be
16731-448: The supreme legislature of the kingdom. Nevertheless, the Council retained the power to hear legal disputes, either in the first instance or on appeal. Furthermore, laws made by the sovereign on the advice of the Council, rather than on the advice of Parliament, were accepted as valid. Powerful sovereigns often used the body to circumvent the Courts and Parliament. For example, a committee of
16874-455: The suspect's identity, nationality, religion and immigration status, were circulated on social media by high-profile far-right accounts, including by Tommy Robinson , a far-right activist who founded the now-disbanded anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL) in 2009. The false claim that the perpetrator was named "Ali Al-Shakati" is believed to have originated from the X (formerly Twitter) account of an anti- lockdown campaigner and gained
17017-479: The unrest spread to other towns and cities in England and to Belfast in Northern Ireland. On 31 July, over 100 protesters were arrested in London and demonstrations occurred in Manchester , Hartlepool , and Aldershot . On 2 August, rioting took place in Sunderland , where a Citizens Advice bureau was set on fire and police officers were injured and several people were arrested. The most severe rioting took place over
17160-536: The weekend of 3–4 August, when anti-immigration protesters clashed with police and counter-protesters, attacked homes and businesses owned by immigrants, and attacked hotels housing asylum seekers. From 6 August the unrest began to abate; counter-protests consistently and considerably outnumbered far-right protesters, and were followed by large anti-racist rallies across the country on 7 August. The riots had limited formal organisation; instead, rioters assembled around individual far-right social media personalities with
17303-451: Was "no longer entitled to be protected by the state" which he said risked Begum to "exposure to irregular treatment" such as " rendition and targeted drone strikes"; going on to say that the consequences could be "fatal". Hermer told the court that there had been a "significant increase in the use of draconian powers" in recent years, and also said that there was a "further complexity" when the SIAC
17446-519: Was a collaborator and part of the extended team working with Forensic Architecture , investigating the killing of Mark Duggan on 4 August 2011. In 2020, Hermer acted for Liberty ; a human rights group (which was an intervenor in Begum v Home Secretary) that argued that Shamima Begum should have been allowed to return to the UK to participate in her appeal. Home Secretary Sajid Javid decided to revoke Begum's citizenship in 2019, which led Begum appealing
17589-407: Was a donor to Starmer's campaign in the 2020 Labour leadership election . After Starmer became Prime Minister following the 2024 general election , he appointed Hermer to the government as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. Hermer was concurrently nominated for a life peerage , and soon afterward was appointed to the Privy Council . During his tenure,
17732-746: Was a student in Manchester. He is a former sabbatical officer of the Union of Jewish Students . Hermer was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in October 1993. He joined Doughty Street Chambers in 1993, three years after it was set up, and there he got to know founding member Keir Starmer . Hermer acted as a junior to Starmer on numerous cases, and Starmer later gave the toast at Hermer's silk ceremony in 2009. On 13 March 2012, Hermer left Doughty Street Chambers and moved to work for Matrix Chambers . He later became
17875-400: Was advised by a royal court or curia regis , which consisted of magnates , ecclesiastics and high officials . The body originally concerned itself with advising the sovereign on legislation, administration and justice. Later, different bodies assuming distinct functions evolved from the court. The courts of law took over the business of dispensing justice , while Parliament became
18018-448: Was also attacked, with rioters throwing bricks and smashing windows. Outside England, there were also protests and violence in Belfast , Northern Ireland. Anti-immigration and anti-racism demonstrators faced off outside Belfast City Hall and were kept apart by riot police. A firework was thrown toward the anti-racism demonstration. The anti-immigration protesters then attempted to march to
18161-459: Was applicable. In March 2022, Hermer was appointed to a legal task-force, alongside other leading international human rights lawyers including Lord Neuberger , by the Government of Ukraine on the accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine to deliver for victims of international crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. Hermer acted for over 900 victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and led
18304-659: Was appointed the inaugural Human Rights Practitioner in Residence at Columbia University in New York . In November 2019, Hermer was appointed a deputy High Court judge following an open competition by the Judicial Appointments Commission . Hermer acted for the estate of Derek Bentley, a British man who was hanged for the murder of a policeman in 1953 but was later posthumously pardoned. In 2005, Hermer along with Keir Starmer were instructed by Deighton Guedalla for
18447-418: Was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article. Police put in place a 24-hour Section 60 Order giving officers further stop-and-search authority, and a Section 34 Order, allowing police to direct people who are engaging in certain activities away from the area. Merseyside Police deployed additional officers after the riot, and ambulance resources remained. The following day Hope Not Hate warned of
18590-477: Was created in 1922, but became defunct in 1972, when the Parliament of Northern Ireland was closed down. The sovereign may make Orders in Council upon the advice of the Privy Council. Orders in Council, which are drafted by the government rather than by the sovereign, are forms of either primary or secondary legislation , depending on the power they are made under. Orders made under prerogative powers, such as
18733-452: Was discussing charges and sentencing. He declared that the rioters had not "gotten away" with their actions, and said that they would "feel the consequence." Hermer said that they were really "guided" by the "level of criminality" seen on the streets, and observed that they saw a "large number of people" involved. He noted that there had been over 1100 arrests and 600 charged, and went on to say that he would not pretend that they did not "inherit
18876-635: Was established by a 1910 Order in Council, during Edward VII 's reign, to scrutinise all succession claims (and thus reject doubtful ones) to be placed on the Roll of Baronets . The Committee for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey recommends approval of Channel Islands legislation. The Committee for the purposes of the Crown Office Act 1877 consists of the Lord Chancellor and Lord Privy Seal as well as
19019-625: Was held in Birmingham city centre earlier that day. Protests also occurred in Hull and Weymouth , with a counter-protest at the latter. In Lancaster , two businesses had their windows smashed during a face off between far-right and anti-fascist protesters. A protest in Sheffield led to one arrest for a public order offence, as well as a far-right protester being injured after he was attacked. Three people were arrested and two police officers injured during
19162-546: Was instructed by Leigh day for the respondents, in Lungowe & Ors v Vedanta Resources Plc & Anor , where he argued that the fact of the Vedanta claim in the UK "weighed very heavily" in favour of the conclusion that service out should have been set aside, though acknowledged the mere fact of it did not automatically lead to that conclusion. He later submitted that the judge had reached the right conclusion on whether England and Wales
19305-459: Was interrupted by a small group of these protesters, with one shouting "free Palestine" and "fuck the EDL". A lone man outside at a pub in Yardley was also attacked by a group. The Birmingham Mail reported that video footage of the incident shows it starting with words being exchanged before one member of the group starts assaulting the man. Others then join in the beating while some try to break up
19448-616: Was involved with a fringe event with the LCHR at the Labour party conference. On 30 December 2019, Hermer donated £5,000 to Keir Starmer 's campaign in the 2020 Labour Party Leadership election , which was accepted on 27 January 2020. On 5 July 2024, after Keir Starmer became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the 2024 general election , Hermer was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland , succeeding Victoria Prentis . His appointment to
19591-512: Was later reported that the suspect was a British citizen born to Rwandan parents, that he had moved to the Southport area in 2013, and that he had no known links to Islam. The spread of misinformation has widely been given as the cause of the Southport riots. In a separate event, a woman was stabbed in Stirling on 3 August 2024. Tommy Robinson falsely claimed on social media that an "alleged Muslim" had been involved in an incident in which three women had been stabbed. Other accounts spread
19734-404: Was not found. Hermer told the inquest that documents were not given to the families of the two men when they should have been, and said that their copies had been edited to the point where they were "almost unintelligible". He went onto say that all it had done was "cause hurt and upset" to Allbutt's widow. Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay MacDuff, who was a Major at the time, insisted in evidence to
19877-614: Was not." In November 2023, Hermer led the legal team and was the barrister for former Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams , following damage claims of £1 brought against Adams and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) by victims of bombings. In court, he argued that the PIRA was a "unincorporated association" that was "incapable in law of being sued." In a written case outline to Justice Michael Soole , he also argued against
20020-504: Was required to "determine deprivation appeals involving individuals who were groomed whilst in the UK and recruited to join ISIS " which Hermer said included "young women, some of whom were groomed as children, who travelled to Syria to marry men who were aligned with ISIS." He also submitted that "once in ISIS territory, girls and women faced coercive and exploitative conditions" which Hermer described as
20163-505: Was the correct place to bring the claim, largely for the reasons that he gave. In 2019, Hermer was instructed by Leigh day where he represented the claimants in the Supreme court case Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc. He argued in the case that a lack of funding to support a fairly represented case presented a major barrier to justice in Zambia. In 2020, Hermer, whilst working for Matrix Chambers,
20306-483: Was their "job to speak truth to power." Hermer also said in his speech that the values they were seeking to protect were "not the property of any political party" and said that the task had "never been more urgent." He was created a life peer as Baron Hermer , of Penylan in the City of Cardiff , on 18 July. Hermer was introduced to the House of Lords on 22 July. He made his maiden speech on 23 July; in which he said that
20449-444: Was torched and wheelie bins set alight. A police officer was assaulted after being pushed off his motorbike and another hit in the head by a chair as protesters threw bottles, bricks and a flare at officers. 23 people were arrested in relation to the disorder as two police officers were hospitalised with a broken jaw and broken nose respectively. In Stoke-on-Trent , a far-right march clashed with local counter-protest groups outside of
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