Martha Spurrier: Equal rights barrister to succeed Shami Chakrabarti as director of Liberty campaign group
Ms Spurrier said it was a ‘huge privilege’ to join an organisation which ‘has been fearlessly confronting state power for more than eight decades’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An outspoken supporter of the Human Rights Act has been appointed to succeed Shami Chakrabarti as the head of the campaign group Liberty.
Martha Spurrier, a barrister specialising in equal rights and access to justice, will take over as Liberty’s director on 31 May.
Her appointment signals that the organisation is preparing for a protracted battle with the Government over its promise to scrap the Act as well as its plan to give new surveillance powers to police and the security services.
She took a prominent role last year in a campaign against the Act’s abolition which targeted the constituency of the Justice Secretary, Michael Gove.
Ms Spurrier said it was a “huge privilege” to join an organisation which “has been fearlessly confronting state power for more than eight decades”.
She added: “Its work is needed now more than ever. In this fast-paced, complex, digital world the battle to defend our human rights faces new frontiers.”
Announcing her decision in January to step down after 12 years Ms Chakrabarti told The Independent that the time was right for her to move on, explaining that she had “stood back and said: ‘let’s not be too vainglorious’”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments