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Shami Chakrabarti to quit role at rights group Liberty Shami Chakrabarti to quit role at rights group Liberty
(35 minutes later)
Civil liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti is to quit her role at campaign group Liberty.Civil liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti is to quit her role at campaign group Liberty.
Ms Chakrabarti described her 12 years as Liberty's director as an "enormous privilege", and said she was leaving the group "stronger than ever".Ms Chakrabarti described her 12 years as Liberty's director as an "enormous privilege", and said she was leaving the group "stronger than ever".
Under her leadership, Liberty, which was founded in 1934, has campaigned on issues such as stop-and-search powers and compulsory ID cards.Under her leadership, Liberty, which was founded in 1934, has campaigned on issues such as stop-and-search powers and compulsory ID cards.
The 46-year-old will remain in her role until a successor is appointed.The 46-year-old will remain in her role until a successor is appointed.
Liberty said recruitment for her replacement would begin in the coming weeks.Liberty said recruitment for her replacement would begin in the coming weeks.
Shami Chakrabarti profileShami Chakrabarti profile
Fight 'never done'
Ms Chakrabarti said: "With members, colleagues, lawyers, journalists and politicians from across the spectrum, we have held three prime ministers and six home secretaries to account.Ms Chakrabarti said: "With members, colleagues, lawyers, journalists and politicians from across the spectrum, we have held three prime ministers and six home secretaries to account.
"Liberty's first president, EM Forster, rightly called defending civil liberties 'the fight that is never done'."Liberty's first president, EM Forster, rightly called defending civil liberties 'the fight that is never done'.
"I leave Liberty secure in the knowledge that we're stronger and more ready for that fight than ever.""I leave Liberty secure in the knowledge that we're stronger and more ready for that fight than ever."
Liberty would now be looking for a director who was "ready to defend [human rights] well into the future", she added.Liberty would now be looking for a director who was "ready to defend [human rights] well into the future", she added.
The group's chairman, Frances Butler, said Liberty had "greatly extended its expertise, influence and membership" under Ms Chakrabarti's leadership.The group's chairman, Frances Butler, said Liberty had "greatly extended its expertise, influence and membership" under Ms Chakrabarti's leadership.
Novel inspiration
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter that she was "sad to see" Ms Chakrabarti stand down, describing her as having "been a superb champion of human rights".
Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, Keir Starmer, who is the former director of public prosecutions, congratulated Ms Chakrabarti and said she had transformed Liberty.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said she would be "much missed" by Liberty and described her as "a strong, strident and liberal voice in many public debates".
Ms Chakrabarti once wrote in the Guardian that she became a lawyer after reading the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, saying the novel had had a "profound effect on me".