Cabinet secretary rejects Robert Jenrick’s demand to investigate Richard Hermer’s work as barrister for Gerry Adams

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The cabinet secretary has dismissed Conservative demands for an investigation into whether the attorney general has advised the government on issues in which he has conflicts of interest.

Chris Wormald, the UK’s most senior civil servant, wrote to Robert Jenrick on Thursday saying there was a “rigorous system” to prevent law officers from advising on issues where they may be conflicted.