Legal career of Keir Starmer

Last updated

Starmer as Director of Public Prosecutions, c. 2012 Keir Starmer DPP.jpg
Starmer as Director of Public Prosecutions, c. 2012

Following his graduation with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Leeds in 1985 until being elected to the House of Commons in 2015, Keir Starmer practised law. He predominantly dealt with criminal defence work, specialising in human rights matters. In 2008, he became Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service, holding these positions until 2013. He previously prosecuted numerous cases for the CPS during his career, specialising as a defence lawyer with expertise in human rights law.

Contents

Starmer became a barrister in 1987 at the Middle Temple, becoming a bencher there in 2009, primarily working on human rights issues. He was called to the bar in several Caribbean countries, where he has defended convicts sentenced to the death penalty. In 1999, Starmer was a junior barrister on Lee Clegg's appeal. [1] [2] [3] [4] . He assisted Helen Steel and David Morris in the McLibel case, in the trial and appeal in English courts, also representing them at the European court. Starmer served as a human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and was also a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's death penalty advisory panel from 2002 to 2008. He later cited his work on policing in Northern Ireland as being a key influence on his decision to pursue a political career. During this time he also marched and authored legal opinions against the Iraq War, which he believed was not lawful under international law because there was no UN resolution expressly authorising it. Becoming a member of Doughty Street Chambers in 1990, Starmer was appointed as Queen's Counsel (QC) in 2002.

Starmer became the new head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008, taking over from Ken Macdonald, He was considered to be bringing a focus on human rights into the legal system. During his time in the role, Starmer dealt with a number of major cases including helping to bring Gary Dobson and David Norris, two men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence, to justice. In February 2010, Starmer announced the CPS's decision to prosecute three Labour MPs and a Conservative peer for offences relating to false accounting in the aftermath of the parliamentary expenses scandal, who were all found guilty. During the 2011 England riots, Starmer prioritised rapid prosecutions of rioters over long sentences, which he later thought had helped to bring "the situation back under control". In February 2012, Starmer announced that Chris Huhne would be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice. In 2013, Starmer announced changes to how sexual abuse investigations are handled in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal and Operation Yewtree police investigation, including a panel to review historic complaints. Starmer left office in November 2013, and was replaced by Alison Saunders. Starmer received honorary degrees from several universities, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) by Charles, Prince of Wales in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to law and criminal justice.

Barrister

Keir Starmer graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Leeds in 1985 and gained a postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law degree at St Edmund Hall at the University of Oxford in 1986. He became a barrister in 1987 at the Middle Temple, becoming a bencher there in 2009. [5] Starmer served as a legal officer for the campaign group Liberty until 1990. [6] He was a member of Doughty Street Chambers from 1990 onwards, primarily working on human rights issues. [7] [6] He was called to the bar in several Caribbean countries, [8] where he has defended convicts sentenced to the death penalty. [9] He assisted Helen Steel and David Morris in the McLibel case, in the trial and appeal in English courts, also represented them at the European court. [10] The case was seen as a David and Goliath case; a large team of leading lawyers represented McDonald's and the legal bills were estimated at £10m. By contrast Steel and Morris were denied legal aid; they acted on their own with help from lawyers including Starmer.

Acting in several appeals to the Privy Council for defendants who had been sentenced to death in Caribbean countries, his legal submissions led to the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in those countries. He has recently worked with lawyers in African countries towards the same end. In 2005 he persuaded the House of Lords that evidence obtained by torture should be inadmissible in court. In 2007 he represented two alleged terrorists in a case in the House of Lords in which he successfully challenged their control orders on human rights grounds. He has also acted in 15 other cases in the House of Lords since 1999, including two cases about the conduct of British soldiers in Iraq, and representing David Shayler in his appeal against conviction for breaching the Official Secrets Act. He gave free legal advice to the defendants in the "McLibel" case, and was interviewed twice —ten years apart— in Franny Armstrong's 2005 documentary, McLibel .

Starmer was appointed Queen's Counsel on 9 April 2002, aged 39. [11] In the same year, he became joint head of Doughty Street Chambers. Starmer served as a human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and was also a member of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's death penalty advisory panel from 2002 to 2008. [5] [6] He later cited his work on policing in Northern Ireland as being a key influence on his decision to pursue a political career: "Some of the things I thought that needed to change in police services we achieved more quickly than we achieved in strategic litigation ... I came better to understand how you can change by being inside and getting the trust of people". During this time he also marched and authored legal opinions against the Iraq War. [9] Starmer stated in 2015 that he believed that the Iraq War was "not lawful under international law because there was no UN resolution expressly authorising it." [12] In 2007, he was named "QC of the Year" by Chambers and Partners. [6]

Director of Public Prosecutions

Appointment

In July 2008, Patricia Scotland, Attorney General for England and Wales, named Starmer as the new head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions. He took over from Ken Macdonald on 1 November 2008. [6] Macdonald, himself a former defence lawyer, publicly welcomed the appointment. [13] Starmer was considered to be bringing a focus on human rights into the legal system. [6] [14]

Tenure

During his time in the role, Starmer dealt with a number of major cases including helping to bring two men accused of murdering 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence to justice.

Within the first few months of his tenure, Starmer upheld the decision not to prosecute the police officers who had killed Jean Charles de Menezes in a UK High Court appeal lodged by the family. [15] The family then gave up on pursuing charges and nobody has been charged with the death of de Menezes. [16] Starmer was involved in the response to the Rochdale child sex abuse ring, and also tackled the issue of violence against women and girls. After the controversial conviction of Munir Hussain on 14 December 2009 for attacking a burglar who had terrorized Hussain and his family, he said:

Keir Starmer QC: [17] There are many cases, some involving death, where no prosecutions are brought ... We would only ever bring a prosecution where we thought that the degree of force was unreasonable in such a way that the jury would realistically convict. So these are very rare cases and history tells us that the current test works very well.

Starmer was involved [18] in the decision to prosecute Omari Roberts, a trainee builder who killed a teenage burglar in a struggle at Roberts's mother's home. [19] The prosecution case relied on the evidence of a second teenage burglar (who had many previous convictions for violent offences), and was eventually dropped on 19 April 2010, with Roberts being formally found not guilty. Mr. Roberts said:

Omari Roberts: [20] I never understood why they would not believe me and why they constantly took the word of a 14-year-old criminal over mine.

Roberts's mother suggests that if she had not been so vocal in her protests over the decision to prosecute or the 2010 general election was not in progress, the prosecution might not have been dropped. [18]

In 2009, he sought a retrial of terrorists involved in a suicide bombing plot that saw them locked behind bars. Later in 2009, when the Conservative Party proposed repealing the Human Rights Act 1998, Starmer defended it as a "clear and basic statement of our citizens' human rights". [21] Liberty and the Liberal Democrats supported Starmer, while the Conservative MP David TC Davies suggested he should be dismissed. [22] In the same year, he called for the CPS to modernise by being more open to scrutiny and less reliant on paper files. [23] In 2011, he introduced reforms that included the "first test paperless hearing". [24]

In February 2010, Starmer announced the CPS's decision to prosecute three Labour MPs and a Conservative peer for offences relating to false accounting in the aftermath of the parliamentary expenses scandal. [25] They were all found guilty. [26] In the same year, he supported proposals to legally recognise different degrees of murder. [27] In 2010, and 2012, Starmer said that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute two members of the UK security services for their alleged role in torture overseas; he supported further investigation. [28] [29] [30]

In July 2010, Starmer announced the decision not to prosecute the police officer Simon Harwood in relation to the death of Ian Tomlinson; this led to accusations by Tomlinson's family of a police cover-up. [31] After a subsequent inquest found that Tomlinson had been unlawfully killed, Starmer announced that Harwood would be prosecuted for manslaughter. The officer was acquitted by a jury in July 2012 but dismissed from the police that September. [32] [33] [34]

In September 2010, Stephen Lawrence murder suspects Gary Dobson and David Norris were arrested and charged without publicity. [35] On 23 October 2010, Starmer applied to the Court of Appeal for Dobson's original acquittal to be quashed. [36] Dobson was in prison at the time for drug dealing. Norris had not been previously acquitted, so no application was necessary in his case. The two were sentenced on 4 January 2012 to detention at Her Majesty's Pleasure, equivalent to a life sentence for an adult, [37] with minimum terms of 15 years and 2 months for Dobson and 14 years and 3 months for Norris. [38] [39]

In December 2010, Starmer changed the decision process, including requiring his personal approval, to prosecute women who withdraw accusations of rape after a woman was convicted for perverting the course of justice "despite judges' belief that her claim of long-term abuse, intimidation and rape at the hands of her husband was true". [40] He later produced guidelines to prevent women in similar circumstances from being unfairly prosecuted. [41]

In 2011, thirteen serving and former police officers were prosecuted for perverting the course of justice in the 1988 murder of Lynette White. The prosecution were unable to provide documents which "could have helped" the defendants, that were claimed to have been destroyed by the police officer leading the case against them. The prosecution made the decision, approved by Starmer, not to offer any further evidence, and the trial collapsed. [42] [43] [44] Starmer ordered a review into the circumstances that had led to the decision and ordered a further review in 2012 when the missing documents were found. [45]

Starmer as Director of Public Prosecutions speaking at Chatham House in 2013 Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service, UK (8450776372).jpg
Starmer as Director of Public Prosecutions speaking at Chatham House in 2013

During the 2011 England riots, Starmer prioritised rapid prosecutions of rioters over long sentences, which he later thought had helped to bring "the situation back under control". [46] [47] Later that year, after revelations concerning the undercover police infiltration of environmental campaigns, Starmer ordered a review of related convictions and invited protestors convicted of aggravated trespass to appeal their sentences. [48] Starmer declined to authorise a wider enquiry, after a report from the judge Christopher Rose found the issue to be a result of individual fault rather than a systemic problem. [49] [50]

In February 2012, Starmer announced that Cameron–Clegg coalition cabinet minister Chris Huhne, and his former wife, Vicky Pryce, would be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice in R v Huhne . Huhne became the first UK cabinet minister in history to be compelled to resign as a result of criminal proceedings, he was succeeded in his government role by Ed Davey. [51] Starmer had previously said in relation to the case that "[w]here there is sufficient evidence we do not shy away from prosecuting politicians". [52] Later that year, he wrote advice for prosecutors, saying that they should consider whether violent protestors organised or prepared for violence, compared to protestors who got "caught up in illegal actions". [53] In the summer of 2012, journalist Nick Cohen published allegations that Starmer was personally responsible for allowing to proceed the prosecution of Paul Chambers in what became known as the "Twitter joke trial". Chambers' conviction of sending a message "of a menacing character" was quashed after a third appeal. The CPS denied that Starmer was behind the decision, saying that it was the responsibility of a Crown Court and was out of Starmer's hands. [54] Later that year, Starmer published a plan for the criminal justice system to better handle cases of female genital mutilation; at the time, the offence had never been successfully prosecuted. [55] At the end of 2012, he published guidance on prosecuting cases of grossly offensive posts on social media that called for caution in prosecuting cases, and considering whether users quickly removed posts or showed remorse. [56] [57]

In 2013, during the Operation Yewtree police investigation into Jimmy Savile's sexual abuse crimes which later resulted in the convictions of other serial sex offenders including Gary Glitter, Rolf Harris and Max Clifford, Starmer announced changes to how sexual abuse investigations are handled, including a panel to review cases of sexual abuse. When the news of Savile's crimes were exposed in 2012 through Mark Williams-Thomas's documentary The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, released a year after his death in 2011, Starmer responded by saying "It was like a dam had bust and people rightfully wanted to know why he had been allowed to get away with it for so long." Starmer was then made aware that there had been four complaints made against Savile to police in Surrey and Sussex about his past abuse during 2007 and 2008, but a decision had been taken against prosecuting him on the grounds that his victims themselves did not support court action and there was insufficient evidence. [58] Starmer responded by saying "It never came close to crossing my desk and the local CPS lawyer who looked at the case did not even mention the decision to his immediate boss because, to him, it seemed routine." [59] [60] [61] [62] In 2022, Boris Johnson falsely blamed Starmer of failing to prosecute Savile, despite there being no evidence that Starmer was involved in the decision to not have him prosecuted. [63] Johnson defended his comments but conceded that Starmer "had nothing to do personally with those decisions" by the CPS not to investigate Savile. [64]

Starmer's proposals were intended to make it easier for victims of violent crime to come forward and to facilitate their participation in criminal proceedings. [65] [66] In the same year, he published a study showing that false reports of rape were rare, saying that the "devastating impact of false allegations" and the perception that they are more common than the data support mean that police forces might adopt what he called a cautious approach that can "lead to injustice for victims" of rape. [67] He also started an inquiry into the cause of a reduction in police reports of rape and domestic abuse. [68] Also in 2013, Starmer altered guidelines for those improperly claiming benefits enabling them to face ten years in prison under the Fraud Act instead of a maximum of seven years under more specific legislation. [69] [70] In April 2014, Starmer recommended making the criminal justice system fit for victims." [71] Starmer said of the Savile scandal [72] :

Resignation

Starmer left office in November 2013, and was replaced by Alison Saunders. [73] [74] Later that month, the Labour Party announced that Starmer would lead an enquiry into changing the law to give further protection to victims in cases of rape and child abuse. [75] On 28 December, he said to BBC News he was "rather enjoying having some free time" and "considering a number of options". [76] There was speculation at the time that he would stand as a Labour Party candidate for the UK Parliament. [77] From 2011 to 2014, Starmer received honorary degrees from several universities, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) by Charles, Prince of Wales in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to law and criminal justice. [78]

Starmer was elected to the House of Commons at the 2015 general election as Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras, becoming the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition four years later. [79]

Awards and honours

The star given to those appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, including Starmer Order of the Bath knight commander civil division star (United Kingdom after 1950) - Tallinn Museum of Orders.jpg
The star given to those appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, including Starmer
Honorary degrees issued to Keir Starmer
DateSchoolDegree
21 July 2011 University of Essex Doctor of university (D.U.) [85]
16 July 2012 University of Leeds Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) [86]
19 November 2013 University of East London Doctor of university (D.U.) [87]
19 December 2013 London School of Economics Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) [88] [89]
14 July 2014 University of Reading Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) [90]
18 November 2014 University of Worcester Doctor of university (D.U.) [91]

Publications

Starmer is the author and editor of several books about criminal law and human rights, including: [92]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greville Janner</span> British politician and barrister (1928–2015)

Greville Ewan Janner, Baron Janner of Braunstone, was a British politician, barrister and writer. He became a Labour Party Member of Parliament for Leicester in the 1970 general election as a last-minute candidate, succeeding his father. He was an MP until 1997, and then elevated to the House of Lords. Never a frontbencher, Janner was particularly known for his work on Select Committees; he chaired the Select Committee on Employment for a time. He was associated with a number of Jewish organisations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, of which he was chairman from 1978 to 1984, and was later prominent in the field of education about the Holocaust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown Prosecution Service</span> Principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales. It is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prosecutor</span> Legal profession

A prosecutor is a legal representative of the prosecution in states with either the adversarial system, which is adopted in common law, or inquisitorial system, which is adopted in civil law. The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against the defendant, an individual accused of breaking the law. Typically, the prosecutor represents the state or the government in the case brought against the accused person.

The Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) was a non-departmental public body created under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 as an independent prosecution body to take responsibility in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the prosecution of criminal offences in cases previously within the purview of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise (HMCE). In Scotland it was a Specialist Reporting Agency and the cases are then prosecuted by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. It was merged with the Crown Prosecution Service on 1 January 2010.

Sir David Calvert-Smith, styled The Hon. Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, is a retired British jurist. He was Director of Public Prosecutions of England and Wales from 1998 to 2003 and then a High Court judge.

Kenneth Donald John Macdonald, Baron Macdonald of River Glaven, is a British lawyer and politician who served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of England and Wales from 2003 to 2008. In that office he was head of the Crown Prosecution Service. He was previously a recorder and defence barrister. He is a life peer in the House of Lords, where he sits as a crossbencher and was previously a Liberal Democrat. He was Warden of Wadham College, Oxford until 2021.

John Yates is a former Assistant Commissioner in the London Metropolitan Police Service (2006–2011). As leader of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)'s Special Inquiry Squad, Yates was dubbed "Yates of the Yard" by the British press following his involvement in a number of cases with high media profiles. Yates came to particular prominence for heading the Cash for Honours investigation. Yates also coordinated the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, heading "Operation Bracknell", for which he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in January 2006. He resigned in July 2011 over criticism of a July 2009 review he carried out of the 2006 police investigation of the News of the World royal phone hacking scandal. He now works for the government of Bahrain advising it on reform of its security forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keir Starmer</span> Leader of the Opposition and British Labour Party since 2020

Sir Keir Rodney Starmer is a British politician and barrister who has served as the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. Previously the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales from 2008 to 2013, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras from 2015 to 2024. He ideologically identifies as progressive and as a centrist.

Debbie Purdy was a British music journalist and political activist from Bradford, West Yorkshire. After being diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, she challenged the law in England and Wales regarding assisted suicide. In 2009, revised guidelines on assisted suicide law were published by the UK Government following Purdy's campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)</span> Senior legal office in England and Wales

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the third most senior public prosecutor in England and Wales, ranking after the attorney general and solicitor general.

Robert Frederick Quick QPM is a British former senior police officer. From 2008 to 2009, he was the Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service at New Scotland Yard. The role is a key national security post with responsibility for counter-terrorism within the United Kingdom, protection of the Queen and senior members of the British Royal Family, protection of the UK Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. He also oversaw the protection of visiting heads of state to the UK and the diplomatic community in London.

Oluwashijibomi "Shiji" Lapite was a 34-year-old Nigerian asylum seeker who died in the back of a police van shortly after being detained by two officers from Stoke Newington police station in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twitter joke trial</span> United Kingdom legal case

R v Paul Chambers, popularly known as the Twitter Joke Trial, was a United Kingdom legal case centred on the conviction of a man under the Communications Act 2003 for posting a joke about destroying an airport on Twitter, a message which police regarded as "menacing". The conviction in the Magistrates' court was widely condemned as a miscarriage of justice, but was upheld on appeal to the Crown Court. Chambers appealed against the Crown Court decision to the High Court, which would ultimately quash the conviction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Yewtree</span> British police investigation against Jimmy Savile

Operation Yewtree was a British police investigation into sexual abuse allegations, predominantly the abuse of children, against the English media personality Jimmy Savile and others. The investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police (Met), started in October 2012. After a period of assessment, it became a full criminal investigation, involving inquiries into living people, notably other celebrities, as well as Savile, who had died the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal</span> Sexual assault scandal about English media personality

It emerged in late 2012 that Jimmy Savile, a British media personality who had died the previous year, had sexually abused hundreds of people throughout his life, mostly children but some as old as 75, and mostly female. He had been well known in the United Kingdom for his eccentric image and was generally respected for his charitable work, which associated him with the British monarchy and other individuals of personal power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Director of Public Prosecutions of Kenya</span>

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is the National Prosecuting Authority in the Republic of Kenya as established by the Constitution of Kenya, which de-linked it from the Office of the Attorney General and established it as an independent office. The office is empowered with the authority to exercise the State's powers of prosecution with regard to criminal proceedings.

<i>Giving Victims a Voice</i> Report relating to the allegations of sexual abuse made against Jimmy Savile

Giving Victims a Voice is a report published in January 2013, relating to allegations of sexual abuse made against English DJ and BBC Television presenter Jimmy Savile (1926–2011) as part of the Operation Yewtree criminal investigation. It was initiated as a result of publicity surrounding the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) jointly produced this report. It marked the end of investigations made under the operation regarding Savile alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazir Afzal</span> British solicitor (born 1962)

Nazir Afzal is a British solicitor and former prosecutor within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Saunders</span> British barrister

Dame Alison Margaret Saunders, is a British barrister and a former Director of Public Prosecutions. She was the first lawyer from within the Crown Prosecution Service and the second woman to hold the appointment. She was also the second holder of this office not to be a Queen's Counsel. She was previously the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London. Her term of office ended on 31 October 2018. She is now a Partner at the Magic Circle law firm Linklaters.

Eleanor Poppy Miranda de Freitas was an English woman who committed suicide three days before the commencement of her trial for perverting the course of justice for allegedly making a false accusation of rape. Her death prompted a debate over whether prosecuting people accused of making a false accusation of rape could deter rape victims from reporting the crime, as well as whether it was appropriate to prosecute vulnerable individuals.

References

  1. ↑ Kenber, Billy; Kennedy, Dominic (2024-07-01). "How the young Keir Starmer made his name as a 'radical' barrister". www.thetimes.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  2. ↑ "'We learn nothing new, gain no insights, plumb no hidden depths': Alan Johnson reviews Keir Starmer: The Unauthorised Biography". Politics Home. 2021-07-13. Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  3. ↑ Plaut, Martin (2021-03-24). "Keir Starmer: Who is he, really?". Martin Plaut. Archived from the original on 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  4. ↑ Seymour, Richard (2022-04-28). "Tell us who you really are, Keir Starmer". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  5. 1 2 "Starmer, Rt Hon. Sir Keir, (born 2 Sept. 1962), PC 2017; QC 2002; MP (Lab) Holborn and St Pancras, since 2015". Who's Who. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U43670. ISBN   978-0-19-954088-4. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2020.[ better source needed ]
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bates, Stephen (1 August 2008). "The Guardian profile: Keir Starmer". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Heather (27 March 2020). "Keir Starmer had no enemies. Can he keep it that way?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "Middle Temple". Middle Temple. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Keir Starmer: The sensible radical". New Statesman . 31 March 2020. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Corrections and clarifications". The Guardian. 16 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "No. 56538". The London Gazette . 16 April 2002. p. 4622.
  12. ↑ Starmer, Keir (30 November 2015). "Airstrikes in Syria are lawful, but I'll be voting against them". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  13. ↑ Moss, Stephen (21 September 2009). "Keir Starmer: 'I wouldn't characterise myself as a bleeding heart liberal . . .'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 16 May 2019.
  14. ↑ "Meet the Director - Keir Starmer". Counsel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  15. ↑ "Family of Jean Charles de Menezes end battle for justice after DPP refuses to prosecute cops over shooting". Daily Record . Glasgow. 14 February 2009. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "Menezes family drop action on police shooting of son". The Irish Times . Dublin. 14 February 2009. ISSN   0791-5144. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  17. ↑ Hirsch, Afua (20 January 2010). "Don't read too much into Munir Hussain judgment, say lawyers". The Guardian. London.
  18. 1 2 Usherwood, Theo (9 April 2010). "Charges 'to be dropped' over burglar's stab death". The Independent. London.
  19. ↑ "Man should not have been charged for killing burglar, CPS decides". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 April 2010.
  20. ↑ "Builder who killed burglar in struggle is freed". The Daily Telegraph. 20 April 2010. p. 5.
  21. ↑ Travis, Alan (22 October 2009). "Keir Starmer defends Human Rights Act against critics". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  22. ↑ Sparrow, Andrew; Travis, Alan (22 October 2009). "Tories attack Keir Starmer over human rights comments". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Outdated Crown Prosecution Service should be modernised, says DPP". The Guardian . 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  24. ↑ Bowcott, Owen (2 December 2011). "Lawyers with laptops log on in cost-saving measure". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  25. ↑ Sparrow, Andrew (5 February 2010). "Three Labour MPs and one Tory peer face expenses abuse charges". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  26. ↑ Evans, Martin (20 September 2011). "Expenses MPs and their sentences: how long each served". The Telegraph . Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  27. ↑ Hirsch, Afua; Siddique, Haroon (8 September 2010). "Keir Starmer backs US-style murder charges for England and Wales". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  28. ↑ Greenwood, Chris (17 November 2010). "'Insufficient evidence' against MI5 officer over torture claims". Independent . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
  29. ↑ Norton-Taylor, Richard (17 November 2010). "MI5 officer will not be prosecuted over Binyam Mohamed abuse". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  30. ↑ "MI5 and MI6 cleared over torture allegations but CPS launches new illegal rendition inquiry". The Telegraph . 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  31. ↑ Dodd, Vikram; Lewis, Paul (22 July 2010). "Ian Tomlinson death: police officer will not face criminal charges". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  32. ↑ "DPP's statement on the decision to prosecute Simon Harwood". The Guardian . 24 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  33. ↑ Walker, Peter; Lewis, Paul (19 July 2012). "Simon Harwood cleared of manslaughter". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  34. ↑ Walker, Peter (17 September 2012). "Ian Tomlinson case: PC Simon Harwood sacked for gross misconduct". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  35. ↑ BBC News (18 May 2011). "Stephen Lawrence pair face murder trial". BBC News. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  36. ↑ "Joint CPS and MPS statement on Stephen Lawrence case". Crown Prosecution Service. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  37. ↑ "R v DOBSON & NORRIS, Sentencing Remarks of Mr Justice Treacy, 4 January 2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  38. ↑ Ritchie, Alice (5 January 2012). "Lawrence killers jailed for 'terrible and evil crime'". Irish Examiner . Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  39. ↑ BBC News (3 January 2012). "Stephen Lawrence murder: Dobson and Norris found guilty". BBC News. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  40. ↑ Hirsch, Afua (16 December 2010). "Keir Starmer orders change in dealing with rape claim retraction cases". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  41. ↑ Hirsch, Afua (10 February 2011). "Rape guidelines may prevent unfair prosecutions of those who retract claim". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  42. ↑ "Urgent review ordered as £30m Lynette White police corruption trial collapses". Wales Online. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  43. ↑ Morris, Steven (2 December 2011). "Largest ever trial of police officers collapses". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  44. ↑ "A Killing in Tiger Bay". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  45. ↑ Morris, Steven (26 January 2012). "Lynette White police corruption trial evidence found in south Wales". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  46. ↑ Bawdon, Fiona; Lewis, Paul; Newburn, Tim (3 July 2020). "Rapid riot prosecutions more important than long sentences, says Keir Starmer". Archived from the original on 20 April 2020.
  47. ↑ Bawdon, Fiona (22 December 2011). "England riots: all-night courts praised, but were they a publicity stunt?". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 4 July 2020.
  48. ↑ Jones, Sam (18 April 2011). "DPP asks power station protesters to appeal against trespass convictions". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  49. ↑ Weisbloom, David (6 December 2011). "Prosecutor facing action over undercover policeman". Channel 4 News . Archived from the original on 19 May 2020.
  50. ↑ Evans, Rob (7 December 2011). "Top prosecutor rejects calls for deeper inquiry into police spies". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 4 July 2020.
  51. ↑ Settle, Michael (4 February 2012). "Huhne forced to resign as points court battle looms". The Herald . Glasgow.[ permanent dead link ]
  52. ↑ Starmer, Keir (23 November 2011). "Letter to the Daily Mail from CPS about the Chris Huhne case". The blog of the Crown Prosecution Service. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012.
  53. ↑ Bowcott, Owen (6 March 2012). "Pursue masked protesters more vigorously, CPS says". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  54. ↑ Cohen, Nick (29 July 2012). "'Twitter joke' case only went ahead at insistence of DPP". The Observer . Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  55. ↑ Boseley, Sarah (23 November 2012). "CPS to crack down on female genital mutilation". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  56. ↑ Booth, Robert (19 December 2012). "Remorseful Twitter and Facebook jokers less likely to face prosecution". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  57. ↑ "Deleting abusive tweets swiftly may help avoid prosecution, says DPP". The Guardian . Press Association. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  58. ↑ Rawnsley, Andrew (2024-02-25). "Keir Starmer: The Biography by Tom Baldwin review – from 'can't win to can't lose': the making of a Labour leader". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  59. ↑ Meikle, James (6 March 2013). "Prosecutor demands overhaul of sexual abuse investigations". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  60. ↑ Laville, Sandra (6 March 2013). "Specialist Met unit in London to tackle gang-led child sex abuse". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  61. ↑ Starmer, Keir (2014-04-06). "A voice for victims of crime". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  62. ↑ IIEA (2020-04-06). Keir Starmer- A Voice for the Victims of Crime - 30 April 2014 . Retrieved 2024-06-26– via YouTube.
  63. ↑ "No evidence for Boris Johnson's claim about Keir Starmer and Jimmy Savile". BBC News. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  64. ↑ "Boris Johnson tries to 'clarify' Jimmy Savile 'slur' against Sir Keir Starmer after days of criticism". Sky News. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  65. ↑ Meikle, James (6 March 2013). "Prosecutor demands overhaul of sexual abuse investigations". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  66. ↑ Laville, Sandra (6 March 2013). "Specialist Met unit in London to tackle gang-led child sex abuse". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  67. ↑ "Rape investigations 'undermined by belief that false accusations are rife'". The Guardian . 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  68. ↑ Martinson, Jane (10 July 2013). "Keir Starmer to launch inquiry into fall in reports of rape and domestic violence". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  69. ↑ Malik, Shiv (16 December 2013). "Benefit cheats face increased jail terms of up to 10 years". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  70. ↑ IIEA (2020-04-06). Keir Starmer- A Voice for the Victims of Crime - 30 April 2014 . Retrieved 2024-06-26– via YouTube.
  71. ↑ IIEA (2020-04-06). Keir Starmer- A Voice for the Victims of Crime - 30 April 2014 . Retrieved 2024-06-26– via YouTube.
  72. ↑ Starmer, Keir (2014-04-06). "A voice for victims of crime". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  73. ↑ Branagh, Ellen (23 July 2013). "Stephen Lawrence barrister Alison Saunders to take over from Keir Starmer as new Director of Public Prosecutions". The Independent . Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  74. ↑ "Saunders to replace Starmer at DPP". Liverpool Daily Post . 23 July 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  75. ↑ "Keir Starmer heads Labour's victim treatment review". BBC News. 28 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  76. ↑ "Keir Starmer: Victims' law a real gear change to justice system". Politics Home. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014.
  77. ↑ Watt, Nicholas (28 December 2013). "Keir Starmer takes Labour adviser role and hints at career as MP". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  78. ↑ Atwal, Kay (19 November 2013). "Keir Starmer QC, awarded honorary doctorate by east London university". Newham Recorder . Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  79. ↑ "Sir Keir Starmer criticised over tax free pension scheme". BBC News. 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  80. ↑ "Crown Office". London Gazette . Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  81. ↑ "Knighthood: former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC". Awards Intelligence. 2 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  82. ↑ "Sir Keir Starmer: Honorary Fellow". St Edmund Hall . Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  83. ↑ "No. 60728". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2013. p. 3.
  84. ↑ "The New Year Honours List 2014 – Higher Awards" (PDF). GOV.uk . 30 January 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  85. ↑ "Honorary Graduates – Profile: Keir Starmer QC". University of Essex. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  86. ↑ O'Rourke, Tanya. "Honorary graduates". University of Leeds . Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  87. ↑ Atwal, Kay (19 November 2013). "Keir Starmer QC, awarded honorary doctorate by east London university". Newham Recorder . Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  88. ↑ Bennett, Dan. "LSE Honorary Degrees". London School of Economics . Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  89. ↑ "Keir Starmer QC awarded an LSE Honorary Degree". London School of Economics . Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  90. ↑ "Leading legal figure awarded Honorary Degree". University of Reading . 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  91. ↑ "Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC". University of Worcester. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  92. ↑ "Starmer, Rt Hon. Sir Keir, (born 2 Sept. 1962), PC 2017; QC 2002; MP (Lab) Holborn and St Pancras, since 2015". Who's Who. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U43670. ISBN   978-0-19-954088-4. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2020.[ better source needed ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.