Starmer as Director of Public Prosecutions, c. 2012
Following his graduation with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Leeds in 1985 until being elected to the House of Commons in 2015, Keir Starmer practised law. He predominantly dealt with criminal defence work, specialising in human rights matters. In 2008, he became Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service, holding these positions until 2013. He previously prosecuted numerous cases for the CPS during his career, specialising as a defence lawyer with expertise in human rights law.
This article is part of a series about Keir Starmer
Legal career
Political career
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MP for Holborn and St Pancras
Director of Public Prosecutions
Leader of the Opposition
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November 2021 reshuffle
2023 reshuffle
Antisemitism in the Labour Party
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Starmer became a barrister in 1987 at the Middle Temple, becoming a bencher there in 2009, primarily working on human rights issues. He was called to the bar in several Caribbean countries, where he has defended convicts sentenced to the death penalty. He assisted Helen Steel and David Morris in the McLibel case, in the trial and appeal in English courts, also representing them at the European court. Starmer served as a human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and was also a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's death penalty advisory panel from 2002 to 2008. He later cited his work on policing in Northern Ireland as being a key influence on his decision to pursue a political career. During this time he also marched and authored legal opinions against the Iraq War, which he believed was not lawful under international law because there was no UN resolution expressly authorising it. Becoming a member of Doughty Street Chambers in 1990, Starmer was appointed as Queen's Counsel (QC) in 2002.
Starmer became the new head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008, taking over from Ken Macdonald, He was considered to be bringing a focus on human rights into the legal system. During his time in the role, Starmer dealt with a number of major cases including helping to bring Gary Dobson and David Norris, two men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence, to justice. In February 2010, Starmer announced the CPS's decision to prosecute three Labour MPs and a Conservative peer for offences relating to false accounting in the aftermath of the parliamentary expenses scandal, who were all found guilty. During the 2011 England riots, Starmer prioritised rapid prosecutions of rioters over long sentences, which he later thought had helped to bring "the situation back under control". In February 2012, Starmer announced that Chris Huhne would be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice. In 2013, Starmer announced changes to how sexual abuse investigations are handled in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal and Operation Yewtree police investigation, including a panel to review historic complaints. Starmer left office in November 2013, and was replaced by Alison Saunders. Starmer received honorary degrees from several universities, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) by Charles, Prince of Wales in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to law and criminal justice.
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