Why did Lord Hermer KC accept the position of Attorney General?

U-Turn or sell-out?

I have listened to one of the Matrix Chambers podcasts that has resulted in some uncomfortable media headlines for the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC.

This podcast described on the Matrix Chambers website was a very interesting listen. “Rule of Law Pod Season 2 Episode 1: An Unlawful Act: Braveman’s Illegal Migration Bill

Richard Hermer KC speaks with Raza Husain KC and Sile Reynolds (Freedom from Torture) about the pressing Migration Bill being pushed through UK Parliament. The bill is designed to deter refugees arriving into the UK on small boats. Richard, Raza and Sile discuss the role of the courts and whether the bill can be overruled by the ECHR or the Refugee Convention.”

(Human rights lawyers discussing before a Bill even becomes law, if they can get it overruled. I explained this here.)

This podcast was from the of 15^th of March 2023 and discusses the then Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s Illegal Migration Bill. This was known as the Rwanda Bill.

I am not going to give you some gotcha quote against Lord Hermer KC for three reasons: one there wasn’t one, two Lord Hermer KC was the presenter not a guest; and three it wouldn’t be fair. It was the overall tone and feel of the podcast and Lord Hermer’s KC view of the Rwanda Act that is important.