Is the honeymoon over for Michael Gove, asks Jon Robins
In an early new year reminder of the strained relations between lord chancellor and legal profession, Michael Gove became the second consecutive holder of that august office to be rendered in the form of an enormous papier mache head. The beady-eyed Gove puppet made his debut appearance at the “Voices for Justice” rally organised by the Justice Alliance last week.
Jeremy Corbyn was on hand in human form to deliver the kind of rousing and unconditional declaration of the principle of access to justice not often heard from politicians of any colour. “We will support and defend the principle of legal aid,” the Labour leader told the faithful.
Taking a break from his “revenge reshuffle”, Corbyn received a standing ovation from lawyers and justice campaigners. “Courts and law centres are closing down,” Corbyn said. “The opportunity to be represented at employment tribunals has gone. It’s a denial of justice. I would not say that legal aid is an economic benefit, it’s a basic human right.”
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