Justice Secretary David Lammy (Labour) has called on Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick to apologise for attacks that have left judges feeling "unsafe". Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said Jenrick should "step back from some of the language he has been using" to criticise the judiciary.
Jenrick has pledged to put ministers back in charge of judicial appointments, claiming the current system had allowed "political activists" to sit in courts. His comments have prompted serious concerns from the legal profession about threats and intimidation.
Organisations representing 250,000 lawyers issued a statement earlier this month revealing that barristers, solicitors and judges "have been subjected to violence, death threats and rape threats" due to "politically motivated attacks" on the legal profession.
Constitutional responsibility concerns
Lammy emphasised his constitutional duty to protect judicial independence. "I take very seriously my constitutional responsibility to uphold the independence of the judiciary, and that is all of our judges," the Lord Chancellor told reporters.
He said Jenrick should "really apologise for some of the language that he has been using that is actually making our judiciary feel unsafe in their day-to-day work". Lammy noted that Jenrick is due to meet with the Lord Chief Justice soon.
The Justice Secretary stressed that judges cannot speak publicly to defend themselves, making it crucial that politicians moderate their language about an independent judiciary that "must rightly and properly go about their work with maximum integrity".
Recent attacks intensify
In recent weeks, Jenrick has claimed "a deep rot has infected parts of our judiciary" and accused more than 30 immigration judges of having links to "open borders charities". At the Conservative Party conference earlier this month, he brandished a judge's wig whilst attacking "judicial activism".
Jenrick has promised that a Conservative government would put politicians back in charge of appointing judges. His conference performance included theatrical props to emphasise his criticism of the current judicial system.
Six major legal organisations issued a joint statement criticising political attacks on their profession, though they did not directly name Jenrick. "Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous," they said, warning such rhetoric "weaken public trust and confidence in the rule of law and erode the very foundations of justice that underpin fairness and democracy".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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