Our learned attorney general Lord Hermer (Richard Hermer KC) has been in the headlines a bit lately. But being in the media spotlight over his past clients hasn’t been the main change to the human rights barrister’s life since his sudden elevation to government. Rather, he tells The House magazine, the biggest shock of entering government so far has been 'having to wear a suit and tie at least five days a week – and sometimes seven!'

As a barrister, it seems, he worked from home at least three days a week. (Wearing what, we'd prefer not to think about.)

Another change, Hermer has found, is his responsibility as a minister to toe the government line. However he tells his interviewer: 'The slight loss that I can’t sound off in the pub about everything I happen to think about a given subject is a small sacrifice to pay.'

Back to the day job of ensuring the government stays legal, can the attorney general confirm that the UK is fully compliant with international law? 'He pauses, appearing to choose his words carefully, before answering: "I am currently not aware of any aspect in which the United Kingdom is knowingly in breach of our international law obligations".’

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