Shattering the Myth: UK’s Justice System Under Fire as Attorney General Defends Its Integrity

In a hard-hitting interview with BBC, Attorney General Lord Hermer condemned accusations of the UK having a ‘two-tier justice system’ as both “disgusting” and “wrong.” His remarks come in light of criticisms surfacing after the 2024 riots, where claims arose that rioters faced harsher penalties compared to protesters, igniting national debate.

Lord Hermer emphasized the dangerous implications of such claims, calling for careful consideration from politicians. He insisted that comparing the responses to those trying to kill police officers during the riots to treatments of peaceful protesters is offensive to law enforcement and judiciary institutions, which strive to maintain the integrity of the law.

The attorney general highlighted that during the protests, the violence was significantly lesser, firmly advocating that the justice system is not two-tiered but remains independent. He stated: “We don’t have a two-tiered justice system. We have one justice system… and I think we all need to get behind it.”

Lord Hermer’s comments arose amidst political tensions, particularly from the Conservative party and Reform UK, who framed the two-tier justice claim as a critique of the prime minister’s handling of the situation. Tensions heightened as Lord Hermer faced scrutiny over his previous work defending controversial figures, drawing calls for him to resign from figures like shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who connected him to infamous clients like Shamima Begum and Gerry Adams.

In defense of his legal career, Lord Hermer argued that representation of all clients, regardless of their political views is crucial for a fair justice system, rejecting personal attacks concerning his former clients as misfounded. He maintains that he is not categorized by the clients he has defended, calling himself progressive yet pragmatic in his political views.

As the discourse surrounding justice and accountability in the UK continues, Lord Hermer’s statements aim to bolster confidence in the institutions tasked with upholding the law.