“The Attorney-General has been forced to drop the task of instigating criminal proceedings in political cases such as ‘cash for honours’ after fallout from a series of apparent conflicts of interest.”
The Times, 29th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The attorney general is likely to lose the right to play a part in prosecution decisions but keep the job of government legal adviser in a shakeup of the role to restore public confidence, the Guardian has learned. The change will form part of Gordon Brown’s new constitutional settlement, along with other measures to increase public accountability which opened for consultation last week, including a bigger role for MPs in deciding whether to wage war.”
The Guardian, 29th October 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“As the attorney-general’s role comes under scrutiny, Baroness Scotland and solicitor-general Vera Baird reveal to Anita Rice their hopes for the future.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 25th October 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“The former Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, QC, is joining a top American law firm today to lead its European litigation practice.”
The Times, 27th September 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“As legal practitioners you will be familiar to some extent with the historic role of the Attorney General, its position at the heart of our civil and criminal justice system and the absolute integrity of the rule of law.”
Legal Week, 20th September 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“The attorney general’s legal advice could be made public and the attorney could lose the right to take prosecution decisions under a range of options for radical reform of the job outlined by the government yesterday.”
The Guardian, 27th July 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The Attorney-General could in future have to explain before Parliament the legal basis for going to war, under reforms proposed yesterday. He or she could also give up any role in deciding prosecutions.”
The Times, 26th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The Government has launched its formal consultation over the role of Attorney General in the justice system in England and Wales.”
Legal Week, 26th July 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“When Baroness Scotland of Asthal accepted her new post, the Prime Minister told her that things must change. Today she will publish proposals that will significantly alter her ancient office.”
The Times, 26th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The role of the government’s chief legal adviser, the attorney general, is “not sustainable” and needs reform, says an influential committee of MPs.”
BBC News, 19th July 2007
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“The Bar Council is launching three groups to respond to the Government’s ‘Governance of Britain’ Green Paper, the body was announced today (18 July).”
Legal Week, 18th July 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“Lord Goldsmith’s time as Attorney-General highlighted the difficulties of trying to be both a lawyer and a politician.”
Law Society Gazette, 12th July 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Moves to review the Attorney-General’s position in the Government will begin today after concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the role. ”
The Times, 9th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The Attorney-General may have to step aside from the key decision on whether there will be a prosecution over ‘cash for peerages’ under the constitutional reforms outlined yesterday.”
The Times, 4th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The appointments of Jack Straw as secretary of state for justice and Baroness Scotland QC as attorney general by Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been broadly welcomed by the legal profession.”
The Lawyer, 2nd July 2007
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“Jack Straw becomes the first Lord Chancellor to sit in the Commons; Baroness Scotland takes over as Attorney-General.”
The Times, 28th June 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The Times Legal Editor looks at who has the inside running to become Attorney-General and Lord Chancellor under the new Prime Minister.”
The Times, 27th June 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Lord Goldsmith dramatically announced his resignation as attorney general last night, days before he was expected to be ousted when Gordon Brown takes over as prime minister. The departure makes it easier for Mr Brown to look afresh at the role of attorney general, a job which many consider to have inbuilt conflicts of interest.”
The Guardian, 23rd June 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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