QC advising Sue Gray deletes anti-government tweets

A BARRISTER advising Sue Gray on the partygate report has deleted a social media account after it emerged he had posted a string of messages critical of the Government.

Daniel Stilitz QC provided the senior civil servant with independent legal advice as she investigated illegal lockdown gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall.

But the neutrality of that advice has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that he is a vocal Labour supporter and anti-brexiteer, who has criticised the Prime Minister, even retweeting a claim that Boris Johnson was a “reckless dangerous PM”.

In one message, posted on Twitter in 2019, Mr Stilitz wrote: “The Government’s current rhetoric is nothing compared to the bile they’ll serve up during the forthcoming election campaign.”

Referring to the Brexit debate, he wrote: “The future of the UK is collateral damage in this mad Tory fight to the death.” He also tweeted: “Why not join Labour? Now seems as good a time as any.”

In Ms Gray’s heavily redacted report, which was published at the end of January, Mr Stilitz was listed alongside the Treasury solicitor as providing “independent advice to the process”.

He is described as an “exceptional advocate” who is well versed in claims arising out of changes to the provision of healthcare and other public services.

In 2016, he represented Chelsea Football Club and its former manager José Mourinho in a case of sex discrimination and constructive dimissal brought by the former team doctor, Eva Carneiro.

But Conservative commentators questioned whether he was an appropriate person to advise Ms Gray on a report into the conduct of the Prime Minister, given that he had personally attacked his record on social media accounts that were publicly available.

Sources have said the full Gray report will make “very uncomfortable reading” for the Prime Minister who is facing possible multiple fines for breaching lockdown rules. It has also been reported that the full findings will be “so damning” for the Prime Minister that he will have no choice but to resign.

Mr Stilitz, who is based at 11KBW chambers, did not respond to a request for comment and the Cabinet Office refused to comment.