Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for the actions of his Attorney General (Image: GETTY)
’s Attorney General Lord Hermer is at the centre of a fresh accusations of significant conflicts of interest linked to his representation of families accusing British Armed Forces of unlawful killings in .
These claims – coming hard on the heels of revelations about the peer’s links to former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams – are now under scrutiny in a statutory inquiry into potential war crimes committed by UK special forces. Sinn Fein has been described as the political wing of the IRA, a characterisation the party denies.
Critics argue that Lord Hermer’s involvement in such cases raises serious questions about his ability to act impartially as the government’s chief legal adviser.
Shadow Justice Secretary has called for Lord Hermer to “publicly recuse” himself from involvement in the Afghanistan inquiry and any other matters connected to his previous legal work.
Mr Jenrick warned that Lord Hermer’s extensive history of representing cases against the government could severely limit his capacity to provide objective advice.
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Attorney General Lord Hermer in Downing Street (Image: Getty)
He told the : “Unless he is transparent and explains how he can perform his role without serious conflicts of interest, his position will become untenable,” Jenrick said.
The criticism marks an unprecedented challenge to an Attorney General, particularly given Hermer’s recent legal advocacy before assuming his current position.
Lord Hermer’s past legal actions have irked Conservative MPs and defence figures, with some accusing him of undermining confidence in both the government and the armed forces. In 2023, while representing 33 bereaved Afghan families, Lord Hermer alleged that members of the SAS were involved in a systematic campaign of extrajudicial killings.
He also accused senior military officials, including General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, of failing to disclose evidence of such incidents, instead allegedly allowing crucial information to remain “buried in a safe for a number of years.”
Such remarks have been described by critics as speculative and harmful.
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (Image: Getty)
Sir Ben Wallace, the former Defence Secretary who commissioned the Afghanistan inquiry, defended General Jenkins against what he described as “smears and innuendos”.
Arguing General Jenkins was a highly respected officer whose reputation has been unfairly tarnished, he added: “On two occasions, I appointed and promoted General Jenkins. He is an outstanding officer of the highest quality.”
The current Defence Secretary, John Healey, should act to protect Gen Jenkins’ reputation from “unwarranted behaviours,” including criticism from Lord Hermer, Sir Ben said.
Lord Hermer’s previous legal representation of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, work for which he was reportedly paid £30,000, has also sparked anger of perceived conflicts of interest.
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Earlier today I was pleased to question the Attorney General.
— Ashley Fox MP (@Ashley7Fox)
Sir Ashley Fox, the Tory MP for Bridgwater, said: “It’s basic practice to declare conflicts of interest in cases such as these.
“He needs to seriously consider if he is capable of giving the objective advice required of his position.”
Speaking to the Commons Justice Committee on Wednesday, Lord Harmer refused to confirm whether he had advised the Government on repealing laws barring Mr Adams from claiming compensation.
A Supreme Court judgment five years ago has paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment without trial in the early 1970s.
He is currently barred from doing so by the Legacy Act – but the Government this week unveiled plans to repeal this legislation.
Also speaking on Wednesday, the PM’s official spokesman said: “Clearly the Government’s intention is to prevent compensation from being paid. We are going to look at every option but I can’t get ahead of that process.
“The Prime Minister wouldn’t make the commitment on the floor of the House if he didn’t think we could address this issue.
“But as I say, it is a complex area and we have been left with a real mess when it comes to the Northern Ireland Legacy Act, which was completely unfit for purpose.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the Attorney General’s Office for comment.