Attorney General who represented ‘Al-Qaeda terrorist’ raked in huge sum in legal aid fees in just four years
ATTORNEY General Lord Hermer raked in at least £170,000 in taxpayer-funded legal aid fees in just four years.
The Government’s top lawyer, who has ignored protocol by failing to disclose earnings for private work, pocketed the cash between 2013 and 2017.
It comes as Whitehall insiders claim “nitpicking” advice from the peer, who acted for former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, was making it impossible for government to function.
Ministry of Justice figures show Lord Hermer — appointed last year by PM Sir Keir Starmer — was paid £25,720 of legal aid cash in 2013, £35,620 in 2014, £82,836 in 2015 and £26,991 in 2017.
As a human rights lawyer, he represented a string of controversial clients, including Adams.
The Government has repealed an act which could now pave the way for Adams to get a payout for being detained.
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Lord Hermer also represented alleged al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Zubaydah and claimed it was “draconian” to strip jihadi bride Shamima Begum of her UK citizenship.
His other clients include a group of Nepalese and Bangladeshi migrants bringing a claim against British firm Dyson.
And he was part of a team engaged by family of Mark Duggan — lawfully shot dead by police in North London in 2011.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Lord Hermer’s predecessors and even his current deputy have declared their ongoing financial interests, but why won’t he?
"There’s one rule for him and another for everyone else. The fact he refuses to come clean begs the question: what on earth is he hiding from the public?”
Whitehall sources, meanwhile, say anger is building that Lord Hermer’s over-exacting advice is blocking new laws. One said: “He is frustrating reforms.”
Another government insider said: “Why do we have Hermer in the job? This is a man who represented Gerry Adams and jihadi bride Shamima Begum. And he holds everything up.”
An ally of Hermer said: “Richard is clear his core priority as a government lawyer is to help deliver its reformative plan for change.”
Mobster in UK for 5 years
A LITHUANIAN mobster on Europe’s most wanted list slipped into Britain and remained undetected for almost five years, we can reveal.
Ignas Zaltauskas, 37, was arrested in May and accused of gunning down a man in Barking, East London, who he had previously attacked in Lithuania.
Prosecutors there want to put the gangster on trial for the shooting — but a British judge has ruled that out.
The Crown Prosecution Service is appealing the decision.
The National Crime Agency said extradition was ongoing.