Diana inquest counsel is made Lord Chief Justice

The new Lord Chief Justice will be the youngest to hold the role in more than 50 years. Lord Justice Burnett, 59, a Court of Appeal judge, will take over as head of the judiciary of England and Wales on Oct 2, No 10 announced.

He is thought to be the youngest appointee since 1958, when Lord Parker of Waddington took the role aged 58. He will step into the position that pays £240,000 a year following the retirement of the incumbent, Lord Thomas. He has been involved in many high-profile cases and inquiries; his final case at the bar was as counsel to the inquests into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed.