Keir Starmer accused of hypocrisy over Brexit law firm role
The Shadow Brexit Secretary is to become a consultant to solicitors Mishcon de Reya, who represented Remain campaigner Gina Miller
Tuesday 25 July 2017 12:03, UK
Tories are accusing Labour's Brexit spokesman of a conflict of interest and hypocrisy over his role as an adviser to the law firm that took on Theresa May on Article 50.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and Director of Public Prosecutions, is poised to become a consultant to the leading firm of solicitors Mishcon de Reya.
The firm represented the prominent Remain campaigner Gina Miller in her Article 50 case against the Government, though it also represents the former UKIP donor and Brexiteer Arron Banks.
Sir Keir has worked as a consultant to the firm before, in 2014 and again last year, but he stood down when he was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet by Jeremy Corbyn.
His declaration in the Register of Interests shows he last worked with Mishcon in February 2017, when he received just over £7,000 for legal advice given to the firm.
Prior to that his last contact with the firm was in October 2016, when he declared that until further notice he would receive £4,500 a month from the Mishcon Academy for six hours of legal advice.
But now Conservative MP James Cleverly has written to Sir Keir suggesting he is guilty of a potential conflict of interest - and hypocrisy - given Labour's opposition to second jobs for MPs.
"Mishcon de Reya have been an active participant in legal cases surrounding the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union," Mr Cleverly writes.
"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 your party leader Jeremy Corbyn called for Article 50 to be triggered immediately following the referendum, without the consent of Parliament.
"The firm's legal work alongside your role in the shadow cabinet creates a possible conflict of interests."
Mr Cleverly adds: "In your position as the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union you will be personally involved with drafting and speaking on legislative 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."
Mr Cleverly says in his letter that in order to provide reassurance to the public and Parliament, Sir Keir should:
:: "Make a public statement on your work for Mischon de Reya making clear your intentions. This should address how you believe this role is compatible with your front bench role, and the steps you will take to avoid suspicions of a conflict of interests.
:: "Since you have previously suggested that the best Brexit deal will 'take time' and you resigned your previous role at Mischon De Reya when you were elevated to shadow cabinet, this should also lay out what has changed to make you believe you can now combine a role with the oversight position you have over Brexit.
:: "Commit to publishing in your Register of Members' Interests a list of the clients to whom you provide advice as part of your role at Mischon de Reya. This would ensure an appropriate level of transparency.
:: "Ask your party leadership to clarify your party's position on the issue of second jobs or consultancies for Members of Parliament. In 2015, your party suggested that this would restore public trust in politics. Your actions will be seen as hypocritical and your party states one position but allows it owns MPs to do another.
:: "State whether you will be involved in providing legal advice to any individual or organisation which seeks to initiate legal action against the UK Government.
:: "State whether your legal advice will assist, directly or indirectly, any lobbying by the firm on behalf of its clients for changes in UK or EU legislation/regulation, or UK Government policy or EU policy."
Confirming a deal with Sir Keir, Mischon de Reya said in a statement: "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, which leads new thinking and develops the potential of everyone in the firm."