The lord chief justice has warned that the ‘spectacular’ constitutional changes of the last government could pose future threats to judicial independence.

In a speech at Mansion House, London, Lord Judge warned of the need for vigilance against ‘totally unintended little steps, which might, long term, serve to undermine the principle of judicial independence’.

As examples he cited reforms in 2005 and 2008, when ‘spectacular changes to our constitutional arrangements were made’.

‘We must be cautious, meticulous in our scrutiny,’ Judge said.