The Conservatives have accused David Lammy of choosing an academic who prioritises diversity over merit to oversee the appointment of Britain's judges.
Professor Lynne Berry has been named as the Justice Secretary's preferred candidate to become chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission (Jac).
The Jac is the body responsible for selecting judges for nearly all courts and tribunals in England and Wales.
Professor Berry is chairman of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and pro-chancellor for the University of Westminster.
Professor Berry is appearing before the Commons Justice Committee today.
However, the Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy has pointed to HTA’s equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policy, which stated equality was "not about treating everyone the same", as evidence Professor Berry was unsuitable for the role.
Mr Timothy added the academic had a "concerning history" of prioritising diversity over merit, suggesting she had "questions to answer".
He added Professor Berry had demanded "positive action" to increase diversity in job applications, including providing the interview questions in advance.
Professor Lynne Berry has emerged as the MoJ's favourite for the role
|CHARITY AWARDS
Mr Timothy told The Telegraph: "We should want the very best judges, regardless of their race or identity. David Lammy’s choice to run the Judicial Appointments Commission has a concerning history of prioritising diversity over merit.
"We need equality before the law, and she has questions to answer about her record."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman was quick to hit back at Mr Timothy, saying: "These are baseless accusations. Judges are always appointed on merit, and the chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission is selected through an open and transparent process.
"This Government is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent for our judiciary, so it reflects modern Britain and victims receive swift, fair justice."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
David Lammy praised Professor Berry
|PA
In his letter recommending Professor Berry, Mr Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said she was "articulate and insightful" and would be a “champion of change".
He also noted she had described her leadership style as “measured radicalism", adding: "She demonstrated an understanding of the importance of appointment on merit and of the statutory requirement to encourage diversity."
When asked about what made great board meetings, Professor Berry said the uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic meant "we moved from focusing just on facts and numbers to discussing our values and behaviours".
She continued: "In a strange way, that uncertainty might have helped the board conversation, because it meant we moved from focusing just on facts and numbers, which, at that time, we didn’t have, to discussing our values and behaviours."
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy criticised the choice
| REUTERSShe continued: "Whether it’s about Black Lives Matter or how you treat your staff in a pandemic, having a frank debate on these fundamental issues is key to building trust amongst board members."
The EDI policy of the HTA, of which Professor Berry has served of chairman since 2019, states: "Equality is not about treating everyone the same", adding it is committed to "taking action that supports ethnic minority career progression".
At Westminster, Professor Berry was chairman of the Court of Governors meeting when it approved a refreshed EDI strategy, which included a "stronger focus" on intersectionality, the "nuanced aspects of lived experience" and equity.
GB News has contacted the University of Westminster and HTA for comment.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter