Attorney General Lord Hermer earned at least £170,000 in taxpayer-funded legal aid fees over a four-year period, it has emerged.
The law chief – hand-picked for the key Government role by Sir Keir Starmer – has come under fire for not disclosing any private earnings since his appointment in July.
His office says he is not obliged to do so. But the latest revelation has sparked anger from the Tories.
Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Predecessors and even his current deputy declared their financial interests, why won’t he?
‘The fact he refuses to come clean begs the question: what is he hiding from the public?’ Ministry of Justice figures show he was paid £25,720 of legal aid cash in 2013, £35,620 in 2014, £82,836 in 2015 and £26,991 in 2017.
Lord Hermer has already come under pressure during his time as attorney general for his previous work, having acted on behalf of Gerry Adams and alleged al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Zubaydah.
He was paid £30,000 to represent Gerry Adams against IRA bomb victims in a High Court case due to go to trial next year.
This has raised questions over his role in the Government’s plans to repeal the Legacy Act, which could lead to taxpayer-funded compensation for Irish republican figures, including the former Sinn Fein leader.
He was also blamed by some Cabinet colleagues for the handling of the controversial Chagos deal, under which Britain would cede sovereignty to Mauritius. Downing Street has confirmed the Prime Minister retains ‘absolute confidence’ in Lord Hermer.
Last month Lord Hermer was accused by his predecessors of breaking convention by refusing to declare his financial interests.
He has admitted having to recuse himself ‘from certain matters’ when advising the government because of potential conflicts of interest.