IN A curious incident, top lawyers in the UK have accused attorney general Suella Braverman of sacrificing the UK’s reputation.
The lawyers confronted her during the annual general meeting of the Bar Council on Saturday (12) for 'sidelining' legal advisers and bypassing the ministerial code, reported The Guardian.
Braverman, attorney general for England and Wales and advocate general for Northern Ireland, was asked how Britain could retain “a shred of credibility” in imploring other countries to follow international law after revealing its own willingness to breach agreements.
The UK government last week unveiled plans to give ministers sweeping powers to “disapply” part of the Brexit deal that the prime minister signed in January.
According to the report, five Queen's Councils confronted her by telling that a crime which broke the law in a 'specific and limited way' was 'still a crime'.
Boris Johnson is also facing a growing rebellion over the explosive proposals in the internal market bill. Former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair jointly condemned the Brexit legislation as imperilling the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and the UK’s integrity.
Asked if she believed ministers were breaking the ministerial code with the legislation, Braverman said that the code was not 'legally enforceable'.
The lawyers also expressed displeasure over her step seeking advice on the measures from three pro-Brexit legal figures, including one junior barrister, instead of approaching senior government lawyers.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)