Agroup of more than 100 lawyers has called on the government and Law Society to publicly defend a solicitor who is acting to challenge the proscription of terror group Hamas.
In an open letter, the solicitors, barristers and legal academics say that Fahad Ansari has been subjected to ‘unacceptable attacks’ as a result of being identified with his clients. The letter calls on lord chancellor David Lammy, attorney-general Lord Hermer KC and Law Society president Mark Evans to ‘publicly defend the role of lawyers generally and [Ansari] in particular’.
Ansari, now a consultant at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, was previously director and principal solicitor at Riverway Law, which acted for Hamas pro bono in order not to breach sanctions.
After the Hamas application was submitted, shadow home secretary Robert Jenrick and Campaign Against Antisemitism reported him to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Jenrick described Riverway’s role as ‘sickening’, adding that it was ‘no surprise the firm specialises in immigration cases’. Ansari’s X feed is headed: Stop the Gaza Genocide – Lawyer, Writer, Activist, Tea Lover – From the River to the Sea’.
Read more
