Lord Hermer forced to apologise after 'regretting clumsy' Nazi jibe at Reform as Labour MPs turn on 'pathetic' Attorney General

Responding to the outrage, a spokesman for the Attorney General told GB News: “The Attorney General gave a speech defending international law which underpins our security, protects against threats from aggressive states like Russia and helps tackle organised immigration crime.

“He rejects the characterisation of his speech by the Conservatives. He acknowledges though that his choice of words was clumsy and regrets having used this reference.”

Lord Hermer had initially told attendees at a think tank event: “The claim that international law is fine as far as it goes, but can be put aside when the conditions change, is a claim that was made in the early 1930s by ‘realist’ jurists in Germany most notably Carl Schmitt, whose central thesis was in essence the claim that state power is all that counts, not law.

“Because of the experience of what followed 1933, far-sighted individuals rebuilt and transformed the institutions of international law, as well as internal constitutional law.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick have been two of the biggest proponents of leaving the ECHR.

Farage told The Telegraph: “Our national interest is being damaged by dangerous young men crossing the channel and the absurd surrender of the Chagos Islands.

"Hermer and Starmer are out of touch with the British public and these insults will only strengthen our case. The next general election will see leaving the ECHR at the centre of debate.”

Jenrick added: “The idea you can reform the ECHR is fanciful as it requires unanimity from all 46 signatories.

“It is appalling that Hermer would insinuate that those who think we should leave the ECHR are like the Nazis. David Lammy tried that disgusting smear with Brexiteers and it didn’t work for him – it won’t work for Hermer either. It seems Labour haven’t learned a thing.”

However, Labour MPs also turned up the heat, labelling the Attorney General's comments "pathetic".

One Labour MP told The Sun the Cabinet Minister’s remarks were “pathetic, childish and out of touch."

Another MP said: "It’s beneath our politics. It’s one of those go-to comparisons for anybody that disagrees with someone.

"You see it all the time on social media but it’s much worse when it comes to a politician.

"There is also a whiff of ivory tower about it. It’s a philosophical outlook that doesn’t always respect the reality on the ground for people.”

Despite Kemi Badenoch putting pressure on Starmer to sack his Attorney General, Lord Hermer is a long-standing pal of the Prime Minister and survived previous complaints about representing ex-Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.