By Tony O’Riley-
Prime minister Boris Johnson has appointed a new Attorney General who attacked “judicial activism” and said judges were “trespassing” on politics amid a crackdown on the legal system.
Hardliner Suella Braverman, a Brexit Minister, is a former Barrister promoted to the Cabinet table job after Geoffrey Cox was sacked in the Cabinet reshuffle.The former New York State Attorney is believed to have been appointed to assist the PM in setting up a “commission” to examine the relationship between the courts and the government.
Ms Braverman shares Downing Street’s determination to challenge legal actions in the form of judicial reviews against the government. She wrote last month:
“The political has been captured by the legal. Decisions of an executive, legislative and democratic nature have been assumed by our courts. “Prorogation and the triggering of Article 50 were merely the latest examples of a chronic and steady encroachment by the judges.
During her 10 years as a barrister she represented the Government on the Attorney General’s Treasury Panel and also defended the Home Secretary in immigration cases, the Parole Board in challenges from prisoners and the Ministry of Defence in the Guantanamo Bay Inquiry.
Simon Davis, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, congratulated both Justice Secretary Robert Buckland on his reappointment and Ms Braverman on joining the Cabinet, adding:
“We look forward to working with them to ensure that the rule of law is upheld in this country, that justice is available to all and that our strengths as a jurisdiction are maintained: an independent judiciary, a talented legal profession and laws which uphold business and human rights.”
Caroline Goodwin, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said the organisation looked forward to working with Ms Braverman, adding: “A government that stands up for the rule of law acts in the best interests of the people – Parliament included.”
ASSAULT
However, Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Daisy Cooper described the appointment as an “assault on the rule of law” and accused Ms Braverman of being “intent on weakening our courts”, adding: “Suella Braverman clearly believes that Tory ministers should be above the law. That makes her unfit to serve as Attorney General.”
Last week Mr Buckland said he did not want to see a system of judges “being put in front of select committees and asked about their political past or views”.
The Conservative party pledged at the last general election to examine the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts, and vowed to set up a Constitution, Democracy & Rights Commission within a year to come up with proposals to restore trust in democracy.
It also pledged to update the Human Rights Act 1998.
Amanda Pinto QC, chairman of the Bar Council, praised Mr Cox as a “staunch supporter of the rule of law” and a “great supporter of the Bar”, adding: “We congratulate Suella Braverman and look forward to working with her and Robert Buckland on ensuring access to justice and protecting the rule of law.”