It seems unlikely that David Lammy went into politics with the aim of emasculating trial by jury. Yet here we are.
The lord chancellor doubtless expected a peppering from the broadcast media following his setpiece speech confirming the curbs at London’s Excel centre. But he is wily enough also to have expected a curveball or two, and one was duly pitched.
Never mind our ancient rights. ITV wanted to know whether the deputy prime minister had advised fellow barrister Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
‘The prime minister has apologised for the appointment of Peter Mandelson,’ Lammy deadbatted. ‘His former chief of staff has stood down and taken responsibility for that appointment. As foreign secretary at the time, of course, I was subject to collective responsibility. I am sorry that that decision was made.’
Obiter will take that as a ‘yes’.
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