New UK Justice Secretary Surprised by His Appointment
Kenneth Clarke says he was surprised when he learned he was being appointed as Justice Secretary in the new coalition government of incoming prime minster David Cameron.
Clarke was shadow business secretary for Cameron before the election, but he told BBC Radio 4 that his experience as a criminal defense lawyer makes him well-qualified for his new role, the Telegraph reports.
”It surprised me when I was offered it, but it isn’t that surprising when you think about it,” Clarke said on The World at One broadcast by the BBC. ”It’s a big and important department.”
Bar Council chairman Nicholas Green was also surprised by the appointment, Legal Week reports. “We are surprised about Clarke taking on the role of justice minister as he was not in the running for a law office job, but he does have a legal background and is a pragmatic and canny operator,” Green said. “He will be a sensible person to have a conversation with about how to preserve the civil and criminal justice system in a period of austerity.”
