Robert Jenrick denies 'Trumpian purge' after conference attack on ‘activist judges’
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick tells Emily Maitlis 'activist judges’ are bringing the UK’s legal system into “disrepute” and vows to make appointments a political decision under a future Tory government.
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In brief…
- Robert Jenrick has attacked “activist judges” during a speech at the 2025 Conservative Party conference, suggesting pro-migrant views have infiltrated the UK justice system.
- Jenrick tells The News Agents his intention is to return judges appointments to a political system, ended under Tony Blair’s time as PM.
- His words have been compared to the actions of Donald Trump, who has also targeted judges during his time in power.
What’s the story?
Robert Jenrick has rejected claims his calls to remove “activist judges” from the UK legal system is a “Trumpian purge”.
The shadow justice secretary spoke at the Conservative Party conference on Tuesday 7 October, where he claimed UK courts had been infiltrated by judges with links to pro-migrant charities.
He said the Conservative Party, if it wins the next UK general election, will return to a system where ruling politicians appoint judges, which was restricted under Tony Blair’s previous Labour government.
When asked by Emily Maitlis, immediately after the speech, if he agreed with criticism that his pledge resembled the actions of Donald Trump, he insisted he was “defending the judiciary”.
“If we weed out the bad judges, we defend all of the good ones,” Jenrick says.
“I think our country has amongst the most respected and revered judiciary in the world, but a small number of people are bringing that into disrepute.”
Jenrick adds he sees no issue with judges returning to appointment by politicians.
“What I'm arguing for, is a return to the world it was before Tony Blair and the constitutional vandalism of new Labour, whereby judges were appointed by the Lord Chancellor, obviously taking that decision very seriously,” he continues.
“What I want to see is the removal of activist judges that we have in our country right now.
“Can you justify having a judge who, on social media, has given their views on immigration, or who is the trustee of a pro-borders charity? No, of course not.”
The comparisons to Trumps America come from, among other places, Jon Sopel – who drew that parallel back in The News Agents studio.
“Listening to Jenrick's speech, I thought 'Oh, I've heard this before. I've heard it in America', where Trump supporters, when they get a judgment they don't like, it's the fault of the judge, rather than the law,” Jon says.
“Again, this is Jenrick putting himself on that populist right where you suggest the solution to Britain's problems is a purge of these judges.”
With a judge’s wig on stage as a prop, Jenrick also targeted Attorney General Richard Hermer, for his work defending former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
"That's what lawyers do. Lawyers defend people, they prosecute others, and the legal system works because everyone has a right to defend themselves," Jon adds.