Attorney General’s Office: Conflicts of Interest

Lord Faulks Excerpts

Monday 27th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hermer (Lab)]

I can assure the noble Lord that in those instances, and, indeed, in any subject matter that I am asked to consider as Attorney-General, we will apply the rigorous conflict process to identify and manage conflicts. Beyond that, I am afraid I cannot go.

[Lord Faulks (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord has described the rigorous system that is in place and has been for some time, but he is, of course, the chief government legal adviser and head of the Government Legal Service. As in private practice, ultimately, the decision is his. Does he feel it is in the public interest not to release any information about whether he was recused from these vital matters?

[Lord Hermer (Lab)]

My Lords, I do. We have set out, and the Solicitor-General set out in the other place, details of that rigorous process. We have explained it and I consider that, without offending the law officers’ convention, that is as far as we can properly go.