After weeks of constant stories on Attorney General Richard Hermer, the defence operation is shifting into gear. And where else to put it than the Guardian…
The paper quotes ‘senior government figures’ who are “baffled by the attacks complain that attacks and the implicit suggestion that the government should be less concerned about following the law.” They complain that briefings about the AG are “deeply unfair“:
“If you were a member of the cabinet who wanted to know how to deliver on this government’s missions while also navigating the law, you couldn’t ask for someone with more ability.”
The spin won’t convince many. Hermer, who has earned himself the nickname among some SpAds of “the F*cking Lawyer,” is causing constant frustration across numerous departments with his politics-cum-law obstructionism. Which is seen to run directly against the newest reset…
The crux of the Guardian piece is that attacks on Hermer are attacks on the PM himself:
‘Insiders believe Hermer has become a sort of cipher for the prime minister and his approach… “I think there is some proxy work going on – having a go at the big man by having a go at [Hermer],” a well-connected senior Labour figure said.’
That is a clear cease-and-desist warning shot to those venting their frustration at Hermer. ‘Attack my mate and you attack me’…
One Downing Street source tells Guido the PM is the only senior figure currently offering Hermer support. That is not to say that co-conspirators should expect the AG to go anytime soon. Despite feeling “beleaguered” Guido is told Hermer “sees this as a vocation and he can just ignore the brickbats.” If the “blocker not builder” keeps it up the expectation of some in SW1 is that he will start seriously butting heads with Morgan McSweeney. At which point, one government figure tells Guido grimly, “Morgan always wins”…
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…”