While the future Labour leader decided to leave to become an MP instead, the revelation appears to fly in the face of Tory attacks on his record as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Last year, Rishi Sunak accused Sir Keir of being “uncomfortable” tackling grooming gangs, saying: “That’s why they call him Sir Softy – soft on crime, soft on criminals.”
But a new book by journalist turned ex-Labour spin doctor Tom Baldwin suggests “his term as DPP [director of public prosecutions] was judged to be very successful by the Tory government”.
Despite controversial attempts by Conservative MP to attack Sir Keir over the prosecution of grooming gangs, Keir Starmer: The Biography notes Tory ministers signed off on a cross-party report commending the work he did on the scandals.
Home secretary Theresa May even took Sir Keir out to dinner to thank him for his service, the book says, while the then attorney general Dominic Grieve described the soon-to-be Labour MP as “one of the most successful directors of recent years” at his leaving party.
Although he rebuked Sir Keir at the start of his tenure of DPP for being too political, Mr Grieve – who had the Tory whip removed by Boris Johnson after voting against his Brexit deal – is quoted describing him as “highly effective and someone who always behaved with great integrity”.
Denne historien er fra February 22, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 22, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Police name mother killed in hit-and-run e-bike crash
A young mother who was killed after she was knocked off an ebike in a hit-and-run crash has been named.
Charity ditches Wallace amid further accusations
Further accusations have been made against TV presenter Gregg Wallace in the wake of him stepping away from hosting hit BBC show MasterChef while a review into complaints is carried out.
Kneecap win legal challenge over Badenoch grant block
Irish language rap group Kneecap have won their legal challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award.
Millions face mortgage bills hike, says Bank of England
Roughly 4.4 million UK households could see hikes to their mortgage repayments over the next three years, the Bank of England has warned.
Mauritius orders review of PM's Chagos Islands deal
The new Mauritian government has ordered an independent review of the Chagos Islands agreement, The Independent understands, throwing the future of Sir Keir Starmer’s deal into even greater uncertainty.
World in most danger for 40 years, MI6 chief warns
The world is at its most dangerous point for 40 years, the head of MI6 has warned, accusing Russia of waging a \"staggeringly reckless campaign\" of sabotage in Europe to undermine support for Ukraine.
Starmer has no other option but to attempt a relaunch
Louise Haigh's resignation from cabinet will mark a return to more disciplined, joined-up government, says Andrew Grice
Alexander handed transport brief after Haigh resigns
Heidi Alexander has been appointed the new transport secretary following yesterday’s surprise resignation of Louise Haigh.
After MPs gave the bill their backing, what comes next?
MPs have voted to approve historic legislation that will pave the way for legalising assisted dying in England and Wales for terminally ill patients.
A day of prayers, heartfelt tales and pin-drop moments
It was a mark of how earnestly MPs approached the assisted dying bill that, I can reveal, some of the most firmly secular members of the House of Commons stood up during the private morning prayers rather than, as some do, sitting down in order to bag a seat without taking part in a religious ceremony.
