CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
Labour’s Mr Brexit is set to work for legal firm behind Remain challenge
Labour’s brexit spokesman is poised to become an adviser to the law firm behind the controversial article 50 court challenge. sir Keir starmer is in talks with Mishcon de reya, which represented Gina Miller in the case that forced the Government into a Parliamentary vote
The prospect of his appointment on conflictas an leaving adviserof interests’.the to Eu. the firm sparked accusations from the Conservatives that sir Keir faced a ‘possible
Tory MP James Cleverly questioned whether it was appropriate for him to take the role and called on him to list any clients he will advise.
He also highlighted the fact that sir Keir had recently been appointed to the Privy Council, the group of political advisers to the Queen, so he could view secretive mentsir Keir,and documents privilegedthe formeron brexit. Directorgovernof advised Public the Prosecutions,firm before. has His ests Parliamentaryshows he receivedregister of £4,500 inter-a monthand septemberfor work last between year. June
He quit the post days before taking on the high profile front bench post of Labour brexit spokesman.
If he rejoins the firm, sir Keir will be working alongside alison Levitt QC.
she previously worked as his principal adviser when he headed the CPs from 2008 to 2013, and was the lead lawyer on the phone hacking investigations. The potential new role is with the Mishcon academy, which the firm’s website says handles ‘training, devel- opment, learning and new thinking’. In a letter to sir Keir, Mr Cleverly, a ministerial aide in the Home office, wrote: ‘Mishcon de reya have been an active participant in legal cases surrounding the united Kingdom’s exit from the European union. ‘The firm stressed that the result of the referendum was not legally binding and supported anonymous claimants in their legal efforts last year. ‘The firm acted for Gina Miller in her case against the Government regarding the triggering of article 50 even though Jeremy Corbyn called for article 50 to be triggered immediately following the referendum, without the consent of Parliament. ‘The firm’s legal work along- side your role in the shadow Cabinet creates a possible conflict of interests.’
He pointed to the MPs’ Code of Conduct which says MPs should ‘avoid any conflict between personal interests and the public interest’.
He added: ‘In your position as the shadow secretary of state for Exiting the European union you will be involved with drafting and speaking on amendments on the Eu Withdrawal bill.
‘You have also recently been made a member of the Privy Council, which will allow you privileged access to documents and information.’
any complaint about an MP’s conduct would be a matter for the Parliamentary Commissioner for standards, Kathryn Hudson. a Labour source also raised doubts about whether the role would be approved by the party leadership.
The article 50 case forced ministers to pass legislation before they could begin the process of brexit. Mrs Miller won in both the High Court and supreme Court. recent figures revealed that the case cost taxpayers £1.2million.
Mishcon de reya said: ‘We are in discussions with Keir starmer about reappointing him as an adviser to the Mishcon academy.
‘His wide experience and previous association with the firm would enable him to play a key and unique role in shaping the work of the academy.’
sir Keir did not respond to requests for comment.