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Kwasi Kwarteng criticised for 'biased judges' comment Kwasi Kwarteng criticised for 'biased judges' comment
(about 6 hours later)
A minister has been criticised for suggesting that "many people" believe judges are biased about Brexit.A minister has been criticised for suggesting that "many people" believe judges are biased about Brexit.
Kwasi Kwarteng said it is "fact" that people think judges are not impartial after a Scottish court ruled that suspending Parliament was illegal.Kwasi Kwarteng said it is "fact" that people think judges are not impartial after a Scottish court ruled that suspending Parliament was illegal.
The business minister told the BBC's Andrew Neil Show: "I'm not saying this, but, many people... are saying that the judges are biased."The business minister told the BBC's Andrew Neil Show: "I'm not saying this, but, many people... are saying that the judges are biased."
Ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the comments were "ill-judged". Ex-Lib Dem leader Lord Campbell said the comments were "ill-judged".
Mr Kwarteng, who campaigned for Brexit in 2016, told Andrew Neil that there was concern about the extent to which judges are "interfering in politics". Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that British judges were "incredibly fair" and the "the best in the world".
"We should always defend the independence of our judiciary," he told BBC Breakfast.
On Wednesday, Mr Kwarteng - who campaigned for Brexit in 2016 - told Andrew Neil that there was concern about the extent to which judges are "interfering in politics".
He said: "I think that they are impartial, but I'm saying that many people, many Leave voters, many people up and down the country, are beginning to question the partiality of the judges.He said: "I think that they are impartial, but I'm saying that many people, many Leave voters, many people up and down the country, are beginning to question the partiality of the judges.
"That's just a fact. People are saying this all the time, they are saying 'why are judges getting involved in politics'... we've got to be honest about the debate.""That's just a fact. People are saying this all the time, they are saying 'why are judges getting involved in politics'... we've got to be honest about the debate."
He added: "The extent to which lawyers and judges are interfering in politics is something that concerns many people."He added: "The extent to which lawyers and judges are interfering in politics is something that concerns many people."
Lord Campbell, who was Liberal Democrat leader from 2006-7, said he expected more of Mr Kwarteng.Lord Campbell, who was Liberal Democrat leader from 2006-7, said he expected more of Mr Kwarteng.
"I would expect a government minister to understand the importance of the independence of the judiciary and not make any comments that might undermine public perceptions," he said."I would expect a government minister to understand the importance of the independence of the judiciary and not make any comments that might undermine public perceptions," he said.
'Rule of law''Rule of law'
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick distanced himself from Mr Kwarteng's comments when asked about them on Robert Peston's ITV programme on Wednesday.Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick distanced himself from Mr Kwarteng's comments when asked about them on Robert Peston's ITV programme on Wednesday.
He said: "We must back the judges in this country to uphold the rule of law.He said: "We must back the judges in this country to uphold the rule of law.
"I would go back to, though, the comment that was made by the High Court which said I think that the words they used were, 'You have to be very cautious before you intrude into debates between the executive and Parliament'."I would go back to, though, the comment that was made by the High Court which said I think that the words they used were, 'You have to be very cautious before you intrude into debates between the executive and Parliament'.
"And, so, obviously this will be a matter that will now be decided by the Supreme Court but I suspect they will be mulling over those issues." Mr Kwarteng's views were also criticised by former justice secretary Sir David Lidington.
Mr Kwarteng's views were also criticised by former Justice Secretary Sir David Lidington.
Sir David, who was effectively Theresa May's deputy when she was prime minister, tweeted that he had "seen no evidence of the courts getting involved in politics but rather English and Scottish courts grappling with important legal/constitutional questions referred to them by UK citizens - and coming to different reasoned judgements".Sir David, who was effectively Theresa May's deputy when she was prime minister, tweeted that he had "seen no evidence of the courts getting involved in politics but rather English and Scottish courts grappling with important legal/constitutional questions referred to them by UK citizens - and coming to different reasoned judgements".
Mr Kwarteng's remarks came after a panel of three judges sitting at the Court of Session, Scotland's highest civil court, found in favour of a cross-party bid to prove Boris Johnson's move to suspend Parliament, known as proroguing, is illegal.Mr Kwarteng's remarks came after a panel of three judges sitting at the Court of Session, Scotland's highest civil court, found in favour of a cross-party bid to prove Boris Johnson's move to suspend Parliament, known as proroguing, is illegal.
A UK government appeal against the ruling will be heard by the Supreme Court in London next week.A UK government appeal against the ruling will be heard by the Supreme Court in London next week.
The current five week suspension of Parliament started in the early hours of Tuesday and is due to last until 14 October.The current five week suspension of Parliament started in the early hours of Tuesday and is due to last until 14 October.
But opposition MPs have called for Parliament to be immediately recalled in the wake of Wednesday's judgement.But opposition MPs have called for Parliament to be immediately recalled in the wake of Wednesday's judgement.