A strong commitment to international law is central to the foreign policy of Sir Keir Starmer’s government, according to Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer.
In his first broadcast interview, Lord Hermer, the government's top legal adviser, told the BBC that the UK aims to be a global leader on issues of international law. He credited this legal commitment with helping secure recent economic agreements with the United States, India, and the European Union.
Lord Hermer also backed Starmer’s decision to maintain a constructive relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, even if it means forgoing short-term political advantage.
His remarks, part of an extended interview for the upcoming BBC Radio 4 programme Starmer’s Stormy Year, came prior to renewed speculation over his legal advice concerning the UK’s stance on the Israel-Iran conflict. Nonetheless, they offer insight into the legal philosophy shaping British foreign policy during a volatile period on the world stage.
The UK government recently declined to comment on the legality of U.S. strikes on Iran, stating that it was not for British ministers to judge. Hermer’s legal approach—shaped by his long-standing friendship with Starmer and his unexpected appointment nearly a year ago—has been a recurring topic of debate during the prime minister’s tenure.
Asked whether international law served as a "red line" in foreign affairs, Hermer said: “If you ask me what Keir’s overriding interest is, it’s genuinely to make life better for people in this country.”
He added: “Of course international law matters. It matters on principle, but also because it lies at the heart of our goals. By following both domestic and international law, we are advancing the national interest.”
Hermer pointed to the UK’s ability to finalize trade agreements with the U.S., India, and the EU as evidence of its restored global credibility: “No one wants to strike deals with a country that may or may not honor its commitments. We're trusted again because we comply—and lead—on international law.”
The UK, he added, has also secured migration agreements with France, Germany, and Iraq by presenting itself as a reliable legal partner. “Being a good-faith player in international law is overwhelmingly in our national interest,” he said.
On UK-U.S. relations, Hermer emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties despite any political differences. He praised Starmer’s approach to diplomacy, saying: “Keir hasn’t chased applause by taking confrontational stances for headlines. Instead, he’s ensured our relationship with the U.S. remains respectful and open.”
This stance contrasts with a fictional British prime minister in the film Love Actually, who publicly rebukes a U.S. president in a press conference—a moment often cited in British political commentary.
Hermer also addressed past controversy over a speech in which he compared some calls to reject international law with legal arguments made in pre-Nazi Germany. He later described the comparison as “clumsy,” but stood by his criticism of those who suggest the UK should abandon the rule of law in favor of brute political force.
While some in the Conservative Party and Reform UK have urged the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, Hermer’s comments underscore a government stance that sees legal compliance as both a moral imperative and a tool of global influence. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.