Richard Hermer has been under fire lately for his controversial client list and legal obstructionism in government. It turns out he also offered advice on a matter close to the dark heart of New Labour. The death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, whose body was found in an Oxfordshire wood in July 2003…
A public inquiry chaired by Lord Hutton concluded Dr Kelly took his life after slashing his wrist and swallowing some painkillers. But because Tony Blair’s government – uniquely – refused to allow a coroner’s inquest to be heard, Hutton’s finding continues to raise eyebrows…
Guido can report that on 17 February 2009 Hermer invited a group of medical experts who question Dr Kelly’s alleged suicide to his chambers at Doughty Street. During a long meeting Hermer advised them to focus their scepticism on the first cause of death advanced by Hutton – “haemorrhage from a cut left ulnar artery” – and to judicially review the then Attorney General, Patricia Scotland. One of those present at the meeting, Dr David Halpin, has been corresponding with Hermer’s office in recent weeks and believes he may now give permission for a coroner’s inquest to be heard…
As Attorney General Hermer is by law the only person in government allowed to push for an inquest – Guido has established the case is now under review. Doing so would set him against the New Labour establishment – Blair, Lord Falconer, Peter Mandelson, and Alastair Campbell. Halpin says he’s “confident Lord Hermer takes this case very seriously.” As well-regarded books by Norman Baker and Miles Goslett have shown, there are many reasons to doubt the public were told the full truth about David Kelly’s death. Hermer could be heading for a major internal scuffle here…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”