Lord Hermer Criticized Over Leaked Emails on British Troops

LONDON (Azat TV) – Attorney General Lord Hermer is facing mounting calls for his resignation following the publication of leaked emails that appear to show him expressing deep disdain for British military personnel. The correspondence, which surfaced over the weekend, has ignited a fierce political firestorm, casting doubt on the future of the Prime Minister’s top legal adviser.

Leaked correspondence sparks political crisis

The emails, dated April 2014, reveal a message sent by the then-lawyer to a junior solicitor at Leigh Day who was working on cases involving Iraqi insurgents. In the message, Lord Hermer sought to console the colleague, stating that she was making an “extraordinary contribution” by securing redress for torture victims. He contrasted her work with that of British troops, asserting that the soldiers involved in the inquiry could never claim to have “made a real difference to people’s lives.”

These comments were made during the period surrounding the Al-Sweady Inquiry, which investigated allegations that British soldiers had tortured and executed Iraqi civilians. The inquiry eventually concluded that the accusations were “deliberate lies” driven by “ingrained hostility” toward the British Army. The emergence of these private sentiments has led critics to argue that Lord Hermer’s judicial impartiality is fundamentally compromised.

Military leaders demand accountability

General Sir Peter Wall, the former head of the Army and commander of British forces in Iraq, has been among the most vocal critics, labeling the Attorney General’s position as “untenable.” He argued that there is a stark mismatch between the role of overseeing military legality and the apparent contempt displayed toward those serving on the front lines.

L/Cpl Brian Wood, a recipient of the Military Cross for his service at the Battle of Danny Boy, echoed these sentiments, calling for an immediate resignation. “It is extraordinary that Lord Hermer thinks lawyers, including himself, acting for Iraqi insurgents do more for society than the soldiers his clients falsely accused of war crimes,” Wood stated.

Official response and defense

In response to the growing backlash, a spokesperson for the Attorney General insisted that Lord Hermer holds the “greatest respect” for the Armed Forces. The statement clarified that the emails were intended as support for a junior lawyer who was exonerated of any wrongdoing and stressed that over his 30-year career, Lord Hermer has represented various clients, including injured British servicemen. The spokesperson further maintained that the suggestion he knowingly acted for individuals presenting false claims is “categorically untrue.”

The intensity of the backlash highlights a widening divide between the legal establishment and the military community, suggesting that the Attorney General’s ability to maintain public trust in the justice system regarding the treatment of veterans has been significantly undermined by these revelations.