The Labour MP and QC Sir Keir Starmer has opted not to take on a role advising City firm Mishcon de Reya. Starmer was understood to be in discussions with the firm yesterday to take on a role advising the Mishcon Academy.

The Holborn and St Pancras MP, who also doubles up as Labour’s Brexit spokesperson, has worked for the firm before. According to press reports, he was paid £18,000 for 24 hours work last year.

He collects a salary of £74,962 as an MP. He also spent five years as director of public prosecutions but stood down from the £200,000-a-year post in 2013, two years before being elected to parliament.

As a barrister he specialises in human rights law and is a tenant at Doughty Street Chambers.

In a statement issued this morning Starmer said: ‘I am grateful to Mishcon de Reya for discussing a possible role advising the Mishcon Academy with me, but, given my other commitments, I have decided not to further the discussions.’

Mishcon de Reya brought the high profile Article 50 case against the government through its client Gina Miller.