Keir Starmer’s top legal adviser, Lord Hermer, has recently come under fire for his involvement in defending a key figure linked to the 9/11 attacks.

The Attorney General, who represented Mustafa al-Hawsawi, a man who pleaded guilty to the murder of nearly 3,000 people in the September 11, 2001, terror attack, is now facing public scrutiny.

Al-Hawsawi, currently held at Guantanamo Bay, launched a claim against the UK government, accusing British intelligence agencies MI5, MI6, and the Ministry of Defence of complicity in his alleged torture by the CIA.

Lord Hermer’s Controversial Clients

Lord Hermer, who became the Attorney General in 2024, is no stranger to high-profile, controversial cases.

Alongside representing al-Hawsawi, his previous clients have included notorious figures like the jihadi bride Shamima Begum, Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams, and several others linked to terrorism.

This pattern of defending individuals connected to terrorism or national security threats has raised questions about Hermer’s fitness for his role in government.

The Public Reaction to Hermer’s Role

Public reaction to Lord Hermer’s involvement in these cases has been harsh.

Critics argue that his actions, particularly defending such clients, reflect poorly on both him and the Labour government.

Tory politicians, such as Robert Jenrick and Joe Robertson, have called for Starmer to sever ties with his old friend, stressing that his role as Attorney General is now untenable.

They believe that Hermer’s career, built on fighting government actions, makes him unsuitable for advising the government.

Al-Hawsawi’s Allegations Against UK Intelligence

Al-Hawsawi, who was arrested in Pakistan in 2003 alongside Khaled Sheikh Mohammed, is accused by the US of playing a significant role in supporting Al-Qaeda’s operations, including aiding the 9/11 hijackers.

Al-Hawsawi’s legal team claims that during his detention, British intelligence services were involved in his alleged torture, providing questions or information to US officials for his interrogations.

Although al-Hawsawi was initially charged in 2008, he and his co-conspirator, Mohammed, were set to plead guilty to terrorism charges in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. However, this deal was later rejected.

Hermer’s Defence and the Legal Background

Lord Hermer’s defence of al-Hawsawi in 2023 came as part of a case involving the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which reviews complaints against the UK security services.

The case, which has yet to be heard fully, alleges that the UK intelligence community played a part in al-Hawsawi’s torture and ill-treatment during his detention.

However, after being appointed Attorney General, Hermer stepped down from representing the client.

Legal Ethics and Political Concerns

While Lord Hermer’s defenders argue that his involvement in such cases is part of the legal profession’s ‘cab rank rule,’ which requires barristers to take on cases within their area of expertise, critics argue that this rule shouldn’t override the ethical considerations of representing clients linked to major national security threats.

Tory MPs and former leaders have raised concerns that the Attorney General’s continued involvement in these controversial cases damages the credibility of the government.

Lord Hermer’s Response to the Controversy

In response to the mounting criticism, a spokesperson for Lord Hermer defended his record, stating that his previous cases do not reflect his current role.

The spokesperson emphasized that as Attorney General, Hermer’s extensive legal background—although varied—should not be seen as an endorsement of his clients’ views.

Despite this, the case continues to be a source of contention within the Labour Party, as public opinion remains divided over Hermer’s suitability for the role.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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