There was much snobbery from Labour moderates when Richard Burgon landed the role of Shadow Justice Secretary, but he has quickly forged a reputation as one of the Shadow Cabinet’s top thinkers. Each week, members of the Shadow Cabinet “legislation committee” meet to discuss policy. It is standard procedure that the party’s Justice spokesman gives his expert view on government bills, offering his thoughts on where they might trip up. During one recent discussion Burgon was asked for his legal opinion on a particularly complex piece of government legislation. According to a source familiar with the meeting, the Shadow Justice Secretary replied:

“Er, sorry, my speciality was personal injury law.”

Indeed, as this profile of the former ambulance chaser reveals, Burgon worked as a personal injury lawyer for Thompsons before he entered politics. Have you been involved in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault? Been given far too much responsibility because everyone else resigned? Give Richard a call…