A shirt-sleeved attorney general last week received a rare cheer from the House of Commons justice committee. Lord Hermer (Richard Hermer KC) was answering questions about his role, the rule of law and, inevitably, the Chagos Islands deal. But, as the division bell signalled the end of the session, chair Andy Slaughter dived in with a quick final question. 

Instagram, X and various other apps displayed on a phone screen

Source: iStock

Following media reports that Hermer had ordered his office to stop using social media platform X (prompting ‘hear, hears’), Slaughter wanted to know who made that decision and was the attorney’s general office the first to do so?

Hermer confirmed he was behind the order. ‘I can understand why other departments feel they need to be on the pitch engaging with people, but that is not where the attorney general’s office needs to be.’ He could engage in serious, detailed and respectful debate with people ‘without being on a platform that constantly descends to racism and misogyny. I think my department can do better than that’.

‘Hear, hear’ number two. If this is Hermer’s final appearance before the committee in his current role, he is departing on a high. 

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