The Conservative Social gathering has confronted ridicule after likening Keir Starmer to Bob Odenkirk’s character within the hit US TV present Higher Name Saul.
Highlighting the Labour chief’s time as a prison defence barrister is gearing as much as be one of many Tory election assault strains within the run-up to this yr’s vote.
At prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak raised Starmer’s determination to advise the soon-to-be-banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir throughout his authorized profession.
Labour has stated Starmer had been requested to offer recommendation to Hizb ut-Tahri in a authorized dispute between the group and the German authorities.
He didn’t formally characterize them, shifting on to grow to be director of public prosecutions shortly after, they stated.
However the Conservative get together later doubled down on the messaging, placing out a message on social media that introduced Saul Goodman – the infamous fictional prison lawyer performed by Odenkirk – into play.
It learn: “Are you a terrorist in want of authorized recommendation? Higher name Keir.”
The publish from the Tories on X, previously Twitter, additionally stated: “When Rishi Sunak sees a bunch chanting jihad on our streets, he bans them. Keir Starmer invoices them.”
However the try and undermine Starmer was quickly disparaged – with many stating that attorneys might not withhold their companies primarily based on a consumer’s conduct, opinions or beliefs, and that in some way the Tories have even managed to spice up Starmer’s picture.
And a group word connected to the publish added that Starmer “went on to prosecute terrorists with hyperlinks to Hizb ut-Tahrir as director of public prosecutions”, and continued: “There’s isn’t any proof he invoiced them. Barristers might not withhold companies primarily based on a consumer’s conduct.”