Should Starmer sue Sunak?

Iam64

Callistemon I agree, most of us are well aware but those ‘some posters’ have been surprised. There have been suggestions barristers/lawyers can refuse to take cases - indeed that’s what Mr Sunak implied when he accused Starmer of representing terrorists

It was the insinuation in the OP that those who hadn't heard the term were thick and stupid, albeit in a rather roundabout swipe at Sunak supporters.

Galaxy

Step away from Google.

Too late!
I caved in.

Iam64 I may be wrong (Germanshepherdsmum where are you) but I believe that if a Barrister refuses to take in a case they go to the back of the rank

Soif it is possible to refuse, I doubt it would be good for their career or bank balance.

Yes Callistemon, that was particularly nasty.

To be perfectly honest those of us who have put their heads above the parapet and admitted to voting Conservative (particularly for this current cohort) are used to being othered by some posters.

It’s become like water off a ducks back.

Very true. And goaded, finger hovering over the report button.

Callistemon - I may have two threads confused ?
I’m on the sofa taking antibiotics and feeling thick headed.

I hope you feel better soon Iam .

Iam64

Callistemon - I may have two threads confused ?
I’m on the sofa taking antibiotics and feeling thick headed.

Quite understandably.

This one is about Sunak trying to smear Starmer for doing his job as a barrister. A smear made during an interview so not subject to parliamentary privilege.

Everyone, including very unsavoury people, is entitled to representation in a court of law. Barristers aren't there to make moral judgements, they are there to ensure that the law is properly applied.

GrannyGravy13

Iam64 I may be wrong (Germanshepherdsmum where are you) but I believe that if a Barrister refuses to take in a case they go to the back of the rank

Soif it is possible to refuse, I doubt it would be good for their career or bank balance.

Bank balances don't come into it when they are defending a client on legal aid, GG13. It's very poorly paid for a good deal of hard work.

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Iam64 I may be wrong (Germanshepherdsmum where are you) but I believe that if a Barrister refuses to take in a case they go to the back of the rank

Soif it is possible to refuse, I doubt it would be good for their career or bank balance.

Bank balances don't come into it when they are defending a client on legal aid, GG13. It's very poorly paid for a good deal of hard work.

I know that, but if they refuse jobs on a regular basis it could impinge on their career prospects and therefore any future earnings.

GrannyGravy13

To be perfectly honest those of us who have put their heads above the parapet and admitted to voting Conservative (particularly for this current cohort) are used to being othered by some posters.

It’s become like water off a ducks back.

But it shouldn’t happen.
I don’t either mind or care what other posters vote and neither should anyone else.It’s not anyones business in any case who’s in the red hat tribe and who’s in the blue hat tribe.There’s enough othering in the world without that.

Sorry to hear you’re not well Iam, and hope you still feel better.

A barrister can only refuse a case if he isn’t going to be free, has a conflict of interest or wouldn’t be appropriately remunerated. If a client is refused on any of those grounds there are always plenty of others who can be approached. Criminal law solicitors will have their ‘favourites’, just as with any other field of law.

Thanks for the kind thoughts folks.
GSM thank you for confirming the reasons a barrister can refuse a case.
Your right about favourites, though maybe it’s also accurate to say people hope to obstruct counsel with particular experience or expertise

Thank you Gernanshepherdsmum

Iam64 I wish you a speedy recovery 🌼

Iam64

Callistemon - I may have two threads confused ?
I’m on the sofa taking antibiotics and feeling thick headed.

Oh dear!

I don't know if it was the other thread but hope you feel better soon. 🌻

Oh my, I’ve just read my last post - awful! Your instead of you’re. Worse, ‘obstruct counsel’ when it should have said ‘instruct counsel’.

I’m off to take my 2nd antibiotic and hope when I return tomorrow, to be functioning a little better.
Thanks again for kind comments - I seem to have that thing everyone has complained of. 16 day cold type virus that moved slowly into infection.

Hope you feel better soon Iam.
Lots of people on Gransnet have said they’ve had this horrible virus/infection.

So to clarify, is it all a bit of a storm in a teacup, or am I misreading the situation?

I don’t think Starmer will sue Sunak anyway. I don’t think politicians usually do that. They seem to take the rough with the smooth as far as I can see. I’m sure Starmer knows he will be our next PM and it wouldn’t look good. He wouldn’t want to enter office with a messy court case hanging over his head. He’s not Prince Harry. He’s more dignified.

Starmer is an astute politician who knows the law

Iam64

Starmer is an astute politician who knows the law

Shame he wasn’t astute enough not to drag Brianna’s name into it, whilst criticising Sunak (who didn’t).

Starmer didn't drag Brianna's name into anything. He made reference to her mother, who was supposedly in the gallery, in his opening remarks.

This week the unwavering bravery of Brianna Ghey’s mother, Esther, has touched us all. As a father, I can’t even imagine the pain that she’s going through and I’m glad that she’s with us in the gallery here today”.

After Rishie's scripted outburst he was plainly very angry, saying

Of all the weeks to say that – when Brianna’s mother is in this chamber. Shame”

How anyone can twist that into 'dragging Brianna's name into it' is beyond my comprehension.

Quite easily Maisie. I said earlier on the thread that Sunak adding the mention of Starmer’s inability or unwillingness to acknowledge what a woman is to the list of his U turns was not a good idea.
But who mentioned Brianna, or Brianna’s mother?
Starmer or Sunak?
Starmer made it about her.

Starmer spoke the names