Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the Bar Council’s criticism of Liz Truss, said:

“It is no surprise that the Bar Council have today called on Liz Truss, the Lord Chancellor, to defend the independence of the judiciary from an ill-informed assault in the media. 

“It is now 48 hours since the court’s decision and there has been a torrent of personal abuse aimed at the judiciary. It is her job to defend the independence of the judiciary and her silence cannot continue.

“She swore an oath when she took office to uphold the rule of law and independence of the judiciary – it’s time she lived up to that promise.”