View source for Legal career of Keir Starmer

{{Short description|From 1987 to 2013}}
{{Infobox judge
| name                = [[Keir Starmer]]
| image               = DPP Keir Starmer in 2009 (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait as [[Director of Public Prosecutions]], 2009
| occupation          = Barrister
| office              = [[Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)|Director of Public Prosecutions]]
| predecessor         = [[Ken Macdonald|Sir Ken Macdonald]]
| successor           = [[Alison Saunders]]
| country             = United Kingdom
| party               = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| term                = 1 November 2008 - 1 November 2013
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Victoria Starmer|Victoria Alexander]]|2007}}
| birth_place         = [[Southwark]], London, England
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=y|1962|9|2}}
| children            = 2
| birth_name          = Keir Rodney Starmer
| alma_mater          = {{Plainlist| * [[University of Leeds]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]]) * [[University of Oxford]] ([[Bachelor of Civil Law|BCL]])}}
| website             = {{URL|keirstarmer.com}}
| honorific_prefix    = Sir
| honorific_suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCB|KC}}
| appointer           = [[Patricia Scotland]]
| office2             =
| education           = [[Reigate Grammar School]]
}}
The British prime minister, Sir [[Keir Starmer]], practised law before his political career began in 2015. Since becoming a [[barrister]] in 1987, he mostly dealt with criminal defence work on human rights matters. In 2008, he became [[Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)|Director of Public Prosecutions]] (DPP) and Head of the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] (CPS), holding these positions until 2013.
{{Keir Starmer sidebar}}
== Barrister ==
Starmer graduated with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree from the [[University of Leeds]] in 1985 and gained a postgraduate [[Bachelor of Civil Law]] degree at [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford|St Edmund Hall]] at the [[University of Oxford]] in 1986. He became a [[barrister]] in 1987 at the [[Middle Temple]], becoming a [[bencher]] there in 2009.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Starmer, Rt Hon. Sir Keir, (born 2 Sept. 1962), PC 2017; QC 2002; MP (Lab) Holborn and St Pancras, since 2015 |url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-43670 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712074706/https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-43670 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |access-date=4 January 2020 |website=Who's Who |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U43670 |isbn=978-0-19-954088-4}}{{better source needed|date=April 2020|reason=Submissions to Who's Who are self-penned}}</ref> Starmer served as a legal officer for the campaign group [[Liberty (advocacy group)|Liberty]] until 1990.<ref name="GUAR1">{{Cite news |last1=Bates |first1=Stephen |date=1 August 2008 |title=The Guardian profile: Keir Starmer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/01/humanrights.law |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329112736/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/01/humanrights.law |archive-date=29 March 2019 |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> He was a member of [[Doughty Street Chambers]] from 1990 onwards, primarily working on human rights issues.<ref name="guardian-20200327">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Heather |date=27 March 2020 |title=Keir Starmer had no enemies. Can he keep it that way? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/27/keir-starmer-profile-labours-non-aligned-leadership-frontrunner |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327230033/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/27/keir-starmer-profile-labours-non-aligned-leadership-frontrunner |archive-date=27 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="GUAR1" /> While at Doughty Street Chambers, he met the solicitor [[Victoria Starmer|Victoria Alexander]], who he later married.<ref name="strick2">{{cite news |last1=Strick |first1=Katie |date=2 July 2024 |title=Victoria Starmer: the no-nonsense solicitor set to become Britain's next first lady |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/victoria-starmer-solicitor-keir-wife-first-lady-b1164846.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702115345/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/victoria-starmer-solicitor-keir-wife-first-lady-b1164846.html |archive-date=2 July 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=[[London Evening Standard|The Standard]]}}</ref>
Starmer was [[called to the bar]] in several [[Caribbean]] countries,<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Middle Temple |url=https://www.middletemple.org.uk/bencher-persons-view?cid=32311 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926134509/https://www.middletemple.org.uk/bencher-persons-view?cid=32311 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=4 January 2020 |website=Middle Temple}}</ref> where he has defended convicts sentenced to the death penalty.<ref name="New Statesman">{{cite news |date=31 March 2020 |title=Keir Starmer: The sensible radical |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/03/keir-starmer-sensible-radical |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405171214/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/03/keir-starmer-sensible-radical |archive-date=5 April 2020 |access-date= |work=[[New Statesman]]}}</ref> He assisted the activists [[Helen Steel]] and David Morris in the [[McLibel case]], a legal case in which Steel and Morris were sued by McDonald's for [[English defamation law|libel]] over a critical pamphlet. Starmer represented Steel and Morris in the trial and appeal in English courts, also representing them at the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=16 January 2020 |title=Corrections and clarifications |url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/jan/16/corrections-and-clarifications |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213000001/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/jan/16/corrections-and-clarifications |archive-date=13 February 2023 |access-date=22 November 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>
Starmer was appointed [[Queen's Counsel]] on 9 April 2002, aged 39.<ref>{{London Gazette
| issue = 56538
| date = 16 April 2002
| page = 4622
}}</ref> In the same year, he became joint head of Doughty Street Chambers. 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, Commonwealth and Development Office]]'s death penalty advisory panel from 2002 to 2008.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="GUAR1" /> During this time he also authored legal opinions against the [[Iraq War]].<ref name="New Statesman" /> Starmer stated in 2015 that he believed that the Iraq War was "[[Legality of the Iraq War|not lawful under international law]] because there was no UN resolution expressly authorising it."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Starmer |first=Keir |date=30 November 2015 |title=Airstrikes in Syria are lawful, but I'll be voting against them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/30/syria-airstrikes-legal-david-cameron-civil-war-flawed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410171423/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/30/syria-airstrikes-legal-david-cameron-civil-war-flawed |archive-date=10 April 2020 |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2007, he was named "QC of the Year" by [[Chambers and Partners]].<ref name="GUAR1" />
== Director of Public Prosecutions ==
=== Appointment ===
In July 2008, [[Patricia Scotland]], [[Attorney General for England and Wales]], named Starmer as the new head of the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] (CPS) and [[Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)|Director of Public Prosecutions]]. He took over from [[Ken Macdonald]] on 1 November 2008.<ref name="GUAR1" />
=== Tenure ===
[[File:Keir Starmer attends the National Black Crown Prosecutors Association 2009 Conference.webm|thumb|Starmer attending the National Black Crown Prosecutors Association 2009 Conference]]
In 2009, Starmer upheld the decision not to prosecute the police officers who had killed [[Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes|Jean Charles de Menezes]] in a [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] appeal lodged by the family.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 February 2009 |title=Family of Jean Charles de Menezes end battle for justice after DPP refuses to prosecute cops over shooting |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/family-of-jean-charles-de-menezes-1009708 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618022715/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/family-of-jean-charles-de-menezes-1009708 |archive-date=18 June 2020 |access-date=5 July 2020 |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |location=Glasgow}}</ref> He was head of the CPS in 2009 when a decision was made not to prosecute an individual who was part of the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]]; however, there is no evidence Starmer was personally involved in the decision.<ref>{{cite news |title=No evidence Keir Starmer tried to block the prosecution of Muslim grooming gangs |url=https://fullfact.org/online/starmer-muslim-grooming-prosecution-crime/ |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=[[Full Fact]] |date=28 July 2022}}</ref> After the [[Munir Hussain case|conviction of Munir Hussain]] on 14 December 2009 for attacking a burglar, Starmer defended the conviction, saying: "We would only ever bring a prosecution where we thought that the degree of force was unreasonable [...] these are very rare cases".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jan/20/munir-hussain-appeal-court | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Don't read too much into Munir Hussain judgment, say lawyers | first=Afua | last=Hirsch | date=20 January 2010}}</ref>
Starmer was involved<ref name="Independent1">{{cite news |last=Usherwood |first=Theo |date=9 April 2010 |title=Charges 'to be dropped' over burglar's stab death |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/charges-to-be-dropped-over-burglars-stab-death-1940352.html |work=The Independent |location=London}}</ref> in the decision to prosecute Omari Roberts, a trainee builder who killed a teenage burglar in a struggle at the home of Roberts's mother.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 April 2010 |title=Man should not have been charged for killing burglar, CPS decides |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7606676/Man-should-not-have-been-charged-for-killing-burglar-CPS-decides.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref> The prosecution case relied on the evidence of a second teenage burglar and was dropped on 19 April 2010, with Roberts being found not guilty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Builder who killed burglar in struggle is freed |author= |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 April 2010 |page= 5}}</ref>
In 2009, Starmer opposed the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] proposal of repealing the [[Human Rights Act 1998]], which Starmer called a "clear and basic statement of our citizens' human rights".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Travis |first=Alan |date=22 October 2009 |title=Keir Starmer defends Human Rights Act against critics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/oct/21/keir-starmer-human-rights-act |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703060802/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/oct/21/keir-starmer-human-rights-act |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Liberty and the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] supported Starmer, while the Conservative MP [[David T. C. Davies]] suggested he should be dismissed.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sparrow |first1=Andrew |last2=Travis |first2=Alan |date=22 October 2009 |title=Tories attack Keir Starmer over human rights comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/oct/22/keir-starmer-tories-human-rights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703021508/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/oct/22/keir-starmer-tories-human-rights |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
In 2009, he called for greater transparency and modernisation in the CPS, including less reliance on paper files.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 November 2009 |title=Outdated Crown Prosecution Service should be modernised, says DPP |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/nov/30/keir-starmer-prosecution-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703025935/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/nov/30/keir-starmer-prosecution-service |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In 2011, he introduced reforms that included the "first test paperless hearing".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |date=2 December 2011 |title=Lawyers with laptops log on in cost-saving measure |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/dec/02/lawyers-with-laptops-crown-prosecution-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703060242/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/dec/02/lawyers-with-laptops-crown-prosecution-service |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
[[File:DPP press briefing on assisted suicide consultation.webm|left|thumb|Starmer speaking about assisted suicide consultation, 2011]]
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 [[United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal|parliamentary expenses scandal]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=5 February 2010 |title=Three Labour MPs and one Tory peer face expenses abuse charges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/feb/05/mps-expenses-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702223125/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/feb/05/mps-expenses-charges |archive-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> They were all found guilty.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin |date=20 September 2011 |title=Expenses MPs and their sentences: how long each served |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/8776160/Expenses-MPs-and-their-sentences-how-long-each-served.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704170128/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/8776160/Expenses-MPs-and-their-sentences-how-long-each-served.html |archive-date=4 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref> In the same year, he supported proposals to legally recognise different degrees of murder.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hirsch |first1=Afua |last2=Siddique |first2=Haroon |date=8 September 2010 |title=Keir Starmer backs US-style murder charges for England and Wales |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/sep/08/keir-starmer-backs-us-style-murder-charges-change-law |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703040950/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/sep/08/keir-starmer-backs-us-style-murder-charges-change-law |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In 2010 and 2012, Starmer said that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute two members of the UK security services for their alleged role in torture overseas; he supported further investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenwood |first=Chris |date=17 November 2010 |title='Insufficient evidence' against MI5 officer over torture claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/insufficient-evidence-against-mi5-officer-over-torture-claims-2136647.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703201444/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/insufficient-evidence-against-mi5-officer-over-torture-claims-2136647.html |archive-date=3 July 2020 |work=[[The Independent|Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norton-Taylor |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Norton-Taylor |date=17 November 2010 |title=MI5 officer will not be prosecuted over Binyam Mohamed abuse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/17/binyam-mohamed-witness-b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702133748/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/17/binyam-mohamed-witness-b |archive-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2012 |title=MI5 and MI6 cleared over torture allegations but CPS launches new illegal rendition inquiry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/9009974/MI5-and-MI6-cleared-over-torture-allegations-but-CPS-launches-new-illegal-rendition-inquiry.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702133748/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/9009974/MI5-and-MI6-cleared-over-torture-allegations-but-CPS-launches-new-illegal-rendition-inquiry.html |archive-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>
In July 2010, Starmer announced the decision not to prosecute the police officer Simon Harwood in relation to the [[death of Ian Tomlinson]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |last2=Lewis |first2=Paul |date=22 July 2010 |title=Ian Tomlinson death: police officer will not face criminal charges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jul/22/ian-tomlinson-police-not-charged |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626203427/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jul/22/ian-tomlinson-police-not-charged |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=12 May 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> After a later inquest found that Tomlinson had been unlawfully killed, Starmer announced that Harwood would be prosecuted for manslaughter. The officer was acquitted by a jury in July 2012 but dismissed from the police that September.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2011 |title=DPP's statement on the decision to prosecute Simon Harwood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/24/dpp-statement-prosecute-simon-harwood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222124535/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/24/dpp-statement-prosecute-simon-harwood |archive-date=22 December 2019 |access-date=22 December 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |last2=Lewis |first2=Paul |date=19 July 2012 |title=Simon Harwood cleared of manslaughter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-not-guilty-ian-tomlinson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222124532/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-not-guilty-ian-tomlinson |archive-date=22 December 2019 |access-date=22 December 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=17 September 2012 |title=Ian Tomlinson case: PC Simon Harwood sacked for gross misconduct |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/sep/17/simon-harwood-sacked-gross-misconduct |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222132536/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/sep/17/simon-harwood-sacked-gross-misconduct |archive-date=22 December 2019 |access-date=22 December 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
[[File:Director of Public Prosecutions talks about domestic violence.webm|thumb|Starmer speaking about domestic violence, 2011]]
In September 2010, [[Murder of Stephen Lawrence|Stephen Lawrence murder]] suspects Gary Dobson and David Norris were arrested and charged.<ref name="BBC trial">{{cite news |author=BBC News |date=18 May 2011 |title=Stephen Lawrence pair face murder trial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13438629 |access-date=18 May 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Dobson had previously been acquitted of the crime; on 23{{spaces}}October 2010, Starmer applied to the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales#Criminal Division|Court of Appeal]] for his original acquittal to be quashed.<ref name="cps statement May 2011">{{cite web |date=18 May 2011 |title=Joint CPS and MPS statement on Stephen Lawrence case |url=http://blog.cps.gov.uk/2011/05/joint-cpsmps-statement-on-stephen-lawrence-case-.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121234510/http://blog.cps.gov.uk/2011/05/joint-cpsmps-statement-on-stephen-lawrence-case-.html |archive-date=21 January 2012 |access-date=5 January 2012 |publisher=[[Crown Prosecution Service]]}}</ref> The two were sentenced on 4 January 2012 with minimum terms of 15 years and 2 months for Dobson and 14 years and 3 months for Norris.<ref name="irishexaminer">{{cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Alice |date=5 January 2012 |title=Lawrence killers jailed for 'terrible and evil crime' |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/lawrence-killers-jailed-for-terrible-and-evil-crime-179051.html |access-date=1 April 2020 |work=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref><ref name="BBC Guilty">{{cite news |author=BBC News |date=3 January 2012 |title=Stephen Lawrence murder: Dobson and Norris found guilty |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16347953 |access-date=3 January 2012 |newspaper=BBC News}}</ref>
In December 2010, Starmer revised the policy to require his personal approval for prosecuting women who retract rape allegations, following a case where a woman was convicted of perverting the course of justice, despite judges believing her claims of long-term abuse, intimidation, and rape by her husband were true.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hirsch |first=Afua |date=16 December 2010 |title=Keir Starmer orders change in dealing with rape claim retraction cases |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/dec/16/keir-starmer-rape-claim-retraction-cases |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702223122/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/dec/16/keir-starmer-rape-claim-retraction-cases |archive-date=2 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> He later produced guidelines to prevent women in similar circumstances from being unfairly prosecuted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hirsch |first=Afua |date=10 February 2011 |title=Rape guidelines may prevent unfair prosecutions of those who retract claim |url=http://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/feb/10/rape-retracted-claims-prosecution-guideline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703084622/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/feb/10/rape-retracted-claims-prosecution-guideline |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
In 2011, thirteen serving and former police officers were prosecuted for perverting the course of justice in the 1988 [[murder of Lynette White]]. The prosecution were unable to provide documents which "could have helped" the defendants, that were claimed to have been destroyed by the police officer leading the case against them. The prosecution made the decision, approved by Starmer, not to offer any further evidence, and the trial collapsed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2011 |title=Urgent review ordered as £30m Lynette White police corruption trial collapses |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/urgent-review-ordered-30m-lynette-1798844 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003052751/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/urgent-review-ordered-30m-lynette-1798844 |archive-date=3 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=Wales Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=2 December 2011 |title=Largest ever trial of police officers collapses |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/01/largest-trial-police-officers-collapses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003052741/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/01/largest-trial-police-officers-collapses |archive-date=3 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Killing in Tiger Bay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000zhgf/a-killing-in-tiger-bay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003052737/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000zhgf/a-killing-in-tiger-bay |archive-date=3 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Starmer ordered a review into the circumstances that had led to the decision and ordered a further review in 2012 when the missing documents were found.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=26 January 2012 |title=Lynette White police corruption trial evidence found in south Wales |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jan/26/lynette-white-police-corruption-evidence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213174044/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jan/26/lynette-white-police-corruption-evidence |archive-date=13 February 2022 |access-date=13 February 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
[[File:Keir_Starmer_QC,_Director_of_Public_Prosecutions,_Crown_Prosecution_Service,_UK_(8450776372).jpg|left|thumb|Starmer speaking at [[Chatham House]] in 2013]]
Starmer prioritised rapid prosecutions of those involved in the [[2011 England riots]] over long sentences, which he later said had helped to bring "the situation back under control".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last1=Bawdon |first1=Fiona |last2=Lewis |first2=Paul |last3=Newburn |first3=Tim |date=3 July 2020 |title=Rapid riot prosecutions more important than long sentences, says Keir Starmer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/03/riot-prosecutions-sentences-keir-starmer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420034812/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/03/riot-prosecutions-sentences-keir-starmer |archive-date=20 April 2020}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Bawdon |first=Fiona |date=22 December 2011 |title=England riots: all-night courts praised, but were they a publicity stunt? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/dec/22/england-riots-all-night-courts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704022552/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/dec/22/england-riots-all-night-courts |archive-date=4 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Later that year, after revelations concerning the [[UK undercover policing relationships scandal|undercover police infiltration of environmental campaigns]], Starmer ordered a review of related convictions and invited protestors convicted of aggravated trespass to appeal their sentences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Sam |date=18 April 2011 |title=DPP asks power station protesters to appeal against trespass convictions |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/18/police-protest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703055137/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/18/police-protest |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Starmer declined to authorise a wider enquiry, after a report from the judge [[Christopher Rose (judge)|Christopher Rose]] found the issue to be a result of individual fault rather than a systemic problem.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weisbloom |first=David |date=6 December 2011 |title=Prosecutor facing action over undercover policeman |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/prosecutor-facing-action-over-ratcliffe-protests |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519140131/https://www.channel4.com/news/prosecutor-facing-action-over-ratcliffe-protests |archive-date=19 May 2020 |work=[[Channel 4 News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Rob |date=7 December 2011 |title=Top prosecutor rejects calls for deeper inquiry into police spies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2011/dec/07/police-spies-row-continues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704025219/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2011/dec/07/police-spies-row-continues |archive-date=4 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
In February 2012, Starmer announced that [[Cameron–Clegg coalition]] cabinet minister [[Chris Huhne]], and his former wife, [[Vicky Pryce]], would be prosecuted for [[perverting the course of justice]] in ''[[R v Huhne]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=CPS announces Huhne charges |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-16869488 |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=3 February 2012}}</ref> Later that year, he wrote advice for prosecutors, saying that they should consider whether violent protestors organised or prepared for violence, compared to protestors who got "caught up in illegal actions".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |date=6 March 2012 |title=Pursue masked protesters more vigorously, CPS says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/06/masked-protesters-cps |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703060804/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/06/masked-protesters-cps |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In the summer of 2012, journalist [[Nick Cohen]] wrote that Starmer was personally responsible for prosecuting Paul Chambers in the [[Twitter joke trial]]. Chambers' conviction was quashed after a third appeal. The CPS denied that Starmer was behind the decision, saying that it was the responsibility of a [[Crown Court]] and was out of Starmer's hands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Nick |author-link=Nick Cohen |date=29 July 2012 |title='Twitter joke' case only went ahead at insistence of DPP |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jul/29/paul-chambers-twitter-joke-airport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929125233/http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jul/29/paul-chambers-twitter-joke-airport |archive-date=29 September 2015 |access-date=28 September 2015 |work=[[The Observer]]}}</ref> Later that year, Starmer published a plan for the criminal justice system to better handle cases of [[female genital mutilation]]; at the time, the offence had never been successfully prosecuted.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Boseley |first1=Sarah |date=23 November 2012 |title=CPS to crack down on female genital mutilation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/nov/23/female-genital-mutilation-crown-prosecution-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703052631/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/nov/23/female-genital-mutilation-crown-prosecution-service |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> At the end of 2012, he published guidance on prosecuting cases of grossly offensive posts on social media that called for caution in prosecuting cases, and considering whether users quickly removed posts or showed remorse.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=19 December 2012 |title=Remorseful Twitter and Facebook jokers less likely to face prosecution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/19/twitter-facebook-jokers-prosecution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703052003/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/19/twitter-facebook-jokers-prosecution |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 February 2013 |title=Deleting abusive tweets swiftly may help avoid prosecution, says DPP |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/03/deleting-abusive-tweets-dpp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724060739/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/03/deleting-abusive-tweets-dpp |archive-date=24 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |agency=Press Association}}</ref>
[[File:DPP discusses prosecutions involving social media.webm|thumb|Starmer discussing prosecutions involving social media, 2013]]
When [[Jimmy Savile]]'s sexual abuse crimes were exposed in 2012, Starmer said amid [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal|the subsequent scandal]] that "It was like a dam had bust and people rightfully wanted to know why he had been allowed to get away with it for so long."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Starmer |first=Keir |date=6 April 2014 |title=A voice for victims of crime |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/06/victims-law-criminal-justice-labour-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705112909/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/06/victims-law-criminal-justice-labour-plan |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref> Starmer was then made aware that there had been four complaints made against Savile to police in Surrey and Sussex about his abuse [[Jersey child abuse investigation|during 2007 and 2008]], but a decision had been taken against prosecuting him on the grounds that his victims themselves did not support court action and there was insufficient evidence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rawnsley |first=Andrew |date=2024-02-25 |title=Keir Starmer: The Biography by Tom Baldwin review – from 'can't win to can't lose': the making of a Labour leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/25/keir-starmer-the-biography-tom-baldwin-review-labour-cant-win-to-cant-lose-making-of-a-labour-leader |access-date=2024-06-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Starmer responded by saying "It never came close to crossing my desk and the local CPS lawyer who looked at the case did not even mention the decision to his immediate boss because, to him, it seemed routine."<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name="Starmer">{{Cite news |last=Starmer |first=Keir |date=2014-04-06 |title=A voice for victims of crime |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/06/victims-law-criminal-justice-labour-plan |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2013, during the [[Operation Yewtree]] police investigation into Savile's crimes, Starmer announced changes to how sexual abuse investigations were handled, including a panel to review cases of sexual abuse.
Starmer's proposals were intended to make it easier for victims of violent crime to come forward and to facilitate their participation in criminal proceedings.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Meikle |first=James |date=6 March 2013 |title=Prosecutor demands overhaul of sexual abuse investigations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/06/new-measures-child-sex-abuse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818004606/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/06/new-measures-child-sex-abuse |archive-date=18 August 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Laville |first=Sandra |date=6 March 2013 |title=Specialist Met unit in London to tackle gang-led child sex abuse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/mar/06/specialist-met-gang-child-abuse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702202729/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/mar/06/specialist-met-gang-child-abuse |archive-date=2 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In the same year, he published a study showing that [[false reports of rape]] were rare, saying that the "devastating impact of false allegations" and the perception that they are more common than the data support mean that police forces might adopt what he called a cautious approach that can "lead to injustice for victims" of rape.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2013 |title=Rape investigations 'undermined by belief that false accusations are rife' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/13/rape-investigations-belief-false-accusations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717081513/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/13/rape-investigations-belief-false-accusations |archive-date=17 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> He also started an inquiry into the cause of a reduction in police reports of rape and domestic abuse.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinson |first=Jane |author-link=Jane Martinson |date=10 July 2013 |title=Keir Starmer to launch inquiry into fall in reports of rape and domestic violence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/10/keir-starmer-inquiry-rape-domestic-violence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703192601/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/10/keir-starmer-inquiry-rape-domestic-violence |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Also in 2013, Starmer altered guidelines for those improperly claiming benefits enabling them to face ten years in prison under the Fraud Act instead of a maximum of seven years under more specific legislation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Shiv |date=16 December 2013 |title=Benefit cheats face increased jail terms of up to 10 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/16/benefit-cheats-jail-terms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702134025/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/16/benefit-cheats-jail-terms |archive-date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
Starmer represented [[Croatia]] at the genocide hearings at the [[International Court of Justice]] in The Hague in 2014, arguing that Serbia wanted to seize a third of Croatian territory during the 1990s war and eradicate the Croatian population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivanovic |first=Josip |date=7 March 2014 |title=Serbia 'Tried to Eradicate Croatian Population' |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2014/03/07/serbia-tried-to-eradicate-croatian-population/ |website=Balkan Transitional Justice}}</ref> Also in 2014, Starmer published guidance on when not to prosecute cases where compassion was the sole motivator in assisting a relative to access assisted dying overseas, following the Supreme Court ''Martin'' case.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 October 2014 |title=BHA welcomes DPP clarification of guidelines around assisted dying |url=https://humanists.uk/2014/10/17/bha-welcome-director-public-prosecutions-clarification-guidelines-around-assisted-dying-call-urgent-action-government-new-research-shows-300-terminally-ill-people-yea/ |access-date=8 July 2024 |work=[[Humanists UK]]}}</ref> In 2015, he intervened and voted in support of Rob Marris's Private Member's Bill on assisted dying.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 September 2015 |title=BHA urges MPs to vote in favour of Assisted Dying Bill |url=https://humanists.uk/2015/09/10/bha-urges-mps-to-vote-in-favour-of-assisted-dying-bill/ |access-date=8 July 2024 |work=[[Humanists UK]]}}</ref>
Starmer left office in November 2013, and was replaced by [[Alison Saunders]].<ref name=":10">{{cite news |last=Branagh |first=Ellen |date=23 July 2013 |title=Stephen Lawrence barrister Alison Saunders to take over from Keir Starmer as new Director of Public Prosecutions |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stephen-lawrence-barrister-alison-saunders-to-take-over-from-keir-starmer-as-new-director-of-public-prosecutions-8728313.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925164128/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stephen-lawrence-barrister-alison-saunders-to-take-over-from-keir-starmer-as-new-director-of-public-prosecutions-8728313.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=23 July 2013 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{cite news |date=23 July 2013 |title=Saunders to replace Starmer at DPP |url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/uk-world-news/2013/07/23/saunders-to-replace-starmer-at-dpp-99623-33644921/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213170239/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/uk-world-news/2013/07/23/saunders-to-replace-starmer-at-dpp-99623-33644921/ |archive-date=13 December 2019 |access-date=23 July 2013 |newspaper=[[Liverpool Daily Post]]}}</ref> Later that month, the Labour Party announced that Starmer would lead an enquiry into changing the law to give further protection to victims in cases of rape and child abuse.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 December 2013 |title=Keir Starmer heads Labour's victim treatment review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25528966 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617205532/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25528966 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=20 June 2018 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> From 2011 to 2014, Starmer received honorary degrees from several universities, and was appointed [[Order of the Bath|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.<ref name="Atwal">{{Cite news |last=Atwal |first=Kay |date=19 November 2013 |title=Keir Starmer QC, awarded honorary doctorate by east London university |url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/education/keir-starmer-qc-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-east-london-university-1-3016174 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716174624/https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/education/keir-starmer-qc-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-east-london-university-1-3016174 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |access-date=15 May 2019 |newspaper=[[Newham Recorder]]}}</ref>
== Legacy ==
While speaking in the House of Commons on 31 January 2022, then [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Boris Johnson]] falsely blamed Starmer for the non-prosecution of Savile when Starmer was Director of Public Prosecutions in the Crown Prosecution Service. Starmer was DPP in the years immediately prior to Savile's death but there is no evidence he was involved in the decision to not have him prosecuted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 February 2022 |title=No evidence for Boris Johnson's claim about Keir Starmer and Jimmy Savile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/60213975 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208163011/https://www.bbc.com/news/60213975 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Johnson was heavily criticised for the comment and his policy adviser [[Munira Mirza]] resigned three days later, saying in her resignation letter that Johnson had made "a scurrilous accusation" against Starmer.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 February 2022 |title=Boris Johnson's policy chief Munira Mirza resigns over PM's Savile remarks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60250036 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Also on 3 February, during an interview with ''Sky News'', Johnson would not apologise for his comment and tried to defend it by stating that, in 2013, Starmer apologised because the CPS had not investigated Savile; however, Johnson then said: "I totally understand that he [Starmer] had nothing to do personally with those decisions".<ref>{{cite news |date=3 February 2022 |title=Boris Johnson tries to 'clarify' Jimmy Savile 'slur' against Sir Keir Starmer after days of criticism |url=https://news.sky.com/video/boris-johnson-tries-to-clarify-jimmy-savile-slur-against-sir-keir-starmer-after-days-of-criticism-12532185 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=Sky News}}</ref>
On 7 February, while Starmer and his colleague [[David Lammy]] were leaving Parliament, they were ambushed by a group of people who shouted abuse at Starmer including the words "traitor" and "Jimmy Savile". Two people, a man and a woman, were arrested after a [[traffic cone]] was thrown at police officers. Johnson tweeted that it was "absolutely disgraceful" and thanked the police for acting swiftly.<ref name="two-arrested2">{{cite news |date=7 February 2022 |title=Keir Starmer: Two arrested after protesters surround Labour leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60294483 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Shayan Sardarizadeh for [[BBC Monitoring]] said that the protest was an attempt to recreate the [[Canada convoy protest|Ottawa "freedom convoy"]] protests in the UK, and noted that the activists' references to [[Magna Carta]] indicated that the protesters were members of the [[sovereign citizen movement]].<ref name="two-arrested2" /> [[Julian Smith (politician)|Julian Smith]], the former [[chief whip]], and [[Simon Hoare]] were among Conservatives who called for Johnson to apologise. MP [[Kim Leadbeater]] and Brendan Cox, the sister and husband of murdered MP [[Jo Cox]], warned against politicians lending credence to far-right conspiracy theories.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |last2=Elgot |first2=Jessica |date=7 February 2022 |title=MPs blame Boris Johnson's 'poison' after protesters mob Keir Starmer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/feb/07/police-rescue-keir-starmer-after-protesters-surround-him-near-parliament |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |last2=Stewart |first2=Heather |date=8 February 2022 |title=Johnson will not apologise for Jimmy Savile remark, says minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/08/boris-johnson-jimmy-savile-remark-not-apologise |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The following day, a Downing Street source said that Johnson still would not apologise for the slur against Starmer.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 February 2022 |title=No 10 has no intention of apologising after protesters surround Sir Keir Starmer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60297998 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
Following the incident when activists forced police to protect Starmer and Lammy extremists issued multiple death threats against Starmer and other Labour MPs. The [[Center for Countering Digital Hate]] (CCDH) sent material to the [[Metropolitan Police]]. Imran Ahmed of the CCDH stated, "Every time a violent extremist makes a threat of violence and gets away with it, the norms of those groups worsen, and others are driven to newer depths of behaviour."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Townsend |first=Mark |date=13 February 2022 |title=Met investigates death threats against Keir Starmer in wake of Johnson's Savile slur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/13/met-investigates-death-threats-against-keir-starmer-in-wake-of-johnsons-savile-slur |access-date=20 March 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
== Awards and honours ==
[[File:Knight_Commander_of_the_Bath_star,_awarded_to_Cecil_Fane_de_Salis_(1859-1948)_in_1935.jpg|thumb|KCB breast star]]
In 2002, Starmer [[took silk]], being appointed [[Queen's Counsel]] (QC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crown Office |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-56538-1002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224183452/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-56538-1002 |archive-date=24 December 2019 |access-date=24 December 2019 |website=[[London Gazette]]}}</ref> He received the Bar Council's Sydney Elland Goldsmith Award in 2005 for his outstanding contribution to ''[[pro bono]]'' work in challenging the death penalty in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and the Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 January 2014 |title=Knighthood: former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC |url=https://www.awardsintelligence.co.uk/awards/knighthood-former-director-of-public-prosecutions-keir-starmer-qc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021105651/https://www.awardsintelligence.co.uk/awards/knighthood-former-director-of-public-prosecutions-keir-starmer-qc/ |archive-date=21 October 2019 |access-date=25 September 2019 |website=Awards Intelligence}}</ref>
For his meritorious "services to law and criminal justice", Starmer was appointed a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] (KCB) in the [[2014 New Year Honours]],<ref name="The London Gazette-2013">{{London Gazette
| issue = 60728
| date = 31 December 2013
| page = 3
| supp = 1
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2013 |title=The New Year Honours List 2014 – Higher Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/268845/New_Year_Honours_2014_notes_on_higher_awards.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001712/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/268845/New_Year_Honours_2014_notes_on_higher_awards.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2013 |access-date=30 December 2013 |website=[[GOV.uk]]}}</ref> making Starmer a "Sir".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Why is Keir Starmer a Sir? How the Labour leader got his knighthood |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/why-keir-starmer-sir-labour-140627642.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Honorary degrees issued to Keir Starmer
!Date
!School
!Degree
|-
|21 July 2011
|[[University of Essex]]
|[[Honorary degree|Doctor of university]] (D.U.)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Graduates – Profile: Keir Starmer QC |url=http://www.essex.ac.uk/honorary_graduates/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716174637/https://www1.essex.ac.uk/honorary_graduates/ |archive-date=16 July 2019 |access-date=23 June 2015 |publisher=[[University of Essex]]}}</ref>
|-
|16 July 2012
|[[University of Leeds]]
|[[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D.)<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Tanya |title=Honorary graduates |url=https://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130509/honorary_graduates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904110524/https://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130509/honorary_graduates |archive-date=4 September 2019 |access-date=15 May 2019 |website=[[University of Leeds]]}}</ref>
|-
|19 November 2013
|[[University of East London]]
|[[Honorary degree|Doctor of university]] (D.U.)<ref name="Atwal"/>
|-
|19 December 2013
|[[London School of Economics]]
|[[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D.)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Dan |title=LSE Honorary Degrees |url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/governanceAndCommittees/lse_honorary_degrees.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716174625/http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/governanceAndCommittees/lse_honorary_degrees.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2019 |access-date=15 May 2019 |website=[[London School of Economics]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Keir Starmer QC awarded an LSE Honorary Degree |url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/website-archive/newsAndMedia/newsArchives/2013/12/KeirStarmer.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716174623/http://www.lse.ac.uk/website-archive/newsAndMedia/newsArchives/2013/12/KeirStarmer.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2019 |access-date=15 May 2019 |website=[[London School of Economics]]}}</ref>
|-
|14 July 2014
|[[University of Reading]]
|[[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2014 |title=Leading legal figure awarded Honorary Degree |url=https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR589467.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043229/https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR589467.aspx |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=15 May 2019 |website=[[University of Reading]]}}</ref>
|-
|18 November 2014
|[[University of Worcester]]
|[[Honorary degree|Doctor of university]] (D.U.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2014 |title=Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC |url=https://www.worcester.ac.uk/community/sir-keir-starmer-kcb-qc-graduation-2014.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116001126/https://www.worcester.ac.uk/community/sir-keir-starmer-kcb-qc-graduation-2014.html |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=2 June 2018 |publisher=[[University of Worcester]]}}</ref>
|}
== Publications ==
Starmer is the author and editor of several books about criminal law and human rights, including:
* ''Justice in Error'' (1993), edited with Clive Walker, London: Blackstone, {{ISBN|1-85431-234-0}}.
* ''The Three Pillars of Liberty: Political Rights and Freedoms in the United Kingdom'' (1996), with Francesca Klug and Stuart Weir, London: Routledge, {{ISBN|0-415-09641-3}}.
* ''Signing Up for Human Rights: The United Kingdom and International Standards'' (1998), with Conor Foley, London: Amnesty International United Kingdom, {{ISBN|1-873328-30-3}}.
* ''Miscarriages of Justice: A Review of Justice in Error'' (1999), edited with Clive Walker, London: Blackstone, {{ISBN|1-85431-687-7}}.
* ''European Human Rights Law: the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights'' (1999), London: Legal Action Group, {{ISBN|0-905099-77-X}}.
* ''Criminal Justice, Police Powers and Human Rights'' (2001), with Anthony Jennings, Tim Owen, Michelle Strange, and Quincy Whitaker, London: Blackstone, {{ISBN|1-84174-138-8}}.
* ''Blackstone's Human Rights Digest'' (2001), with Iain Byrne, London: Blackstone, {{ISBN|1-84174-153-1}}.
* ''A Report on the Policing of the Ardoyne Parades 12 July 2004'' (2004), with Jane Gordon, Belfast: Northern Ireland Policing Board.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Keir Starmer}}
[[Category:Keir Starmer]]
[[Category:Careers by individual|Starmer, Keir]]
[[Category:Early lives of the prime ministers of the United Kingdom|Starmer, Keir]]