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JUSTICE Secretary Robert Buckland last night warned Boris Johnson he will fight tooth and nail against any moves to make judges politically appointed.

It came amid hints the PM will use a review into Britain’s legal institutions and constitution to push for the reform.

 Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said that he will fight tooth and nail against any moves to make judges politically appointed
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Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said that he will fight tooth and nail against any moves to make judges politically appointedCredit: JEFF OVERS

But Mr Buckland – a former criminal barrister – slammed any suggestion Britain could adopt the US-style system.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Pienaar’s Politics: “I don’t want to see a system of judges being put in front of select committees and asked about their political past or views.”

He added: “I would be extremely worried if we ended up in that situation.

“It is bound to be part of discussion, but I as Lord Chancellor can tell you I do not want to see a situation in this country where we have political appointment of judges.

“I will oppose that because I believe the independence of the judiciary is part of the cornerstone not just of the rule of law, but of our democracy as well.”

 Mr Buckland warned the PM that he believed an independent judiciary was 'the cornerstone' of our democracy
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Mr Buckland warned the PM that he believed an independent judiciary was 'the cornerstone' of our democracyCredit: Getty Images


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