Richard Hermer

Richard Hermer fits The Guardian archetype almost by definition of the office he holds, but his profile sharpens the match. A human rights barrister elevated to the Lords in 2024 to serve as Keir Starmer's Attorney General, Hermer has publicly framed his role around the rule of law and the UK's fidelity to international legal obligations, positions that have drawn political criticism yet remained consistent. His career at Matrix Chambers, acting in complex claims touching on state conduct abroad, shaped an instinct for testing government action against legal standards rather than convenience. As chief legal adviser he operates as an internal check, guarding institutional boundaries even when that creates friction with ministerial or media pressure. Secondary Steward traits appear in his careful, precedent-minded approach, but the protective, principle-holding Guardian posture dominates.