With numerous former senior civil servants attacking Keir Starmer for his decision to sack Sir Olly Robbins – former Cabinet Secretary Lord Gus O'Donnell says the sacking “risks having a serious and sustained chilling effect on serving and prospective civil servants” - Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC examine the claim by those defending Robbins that he was forbidden by law from disclosing to Starmer even the bare outcome of Mandelson’s developed vetting process by UK Security Vetting.

Does - as previous FCDO Perm Sec Lord Simon McDonald has said - the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 and the terms of the Civil Service Code have the legal consequence that any disclosure to Ministers, including the Prime Minister, of any aspect of the developed vetting process is contrary to law? Or is this just an example of the Mandarin class being addicted to secrecy and control to the point that deprives Ministers of obviously relevant material for no clear legal reason?

Following on from last week’s episode with Kathleen Stock on the Assisted Dying Bill, Ken and Tim reflect on the briefing paper drafted by Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision which sets out the blatant efforts of 7 Peers to talk the Bill out in the Lords in full knowledge that were the House of Lords to be allowed to vote on it, the Bill would be passed - https://humanists.uk/2026/04/20/lords-assisted-dying-debate-transcript-is-longer-than-war-and-peace-filibuster-clear-and-obvious/#:~:text=Humanists%20UK%20and%20My%20Death%2C%20My%20Decision,the%20filibuster%2C%20and%20the%20final%20debate%20will.

Finally, Ken and Tim discuss the legitimacy and future of private prosecutions in the wake of a scathing judgment issued last week by Senior District Judge Goldspring at Westminster Magistrates' Court in response to an attempt by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians to issue a summons alleging a breach of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 against a dual British-Israel citizen who had re-enlisted in the Israel Defense Force in October 2023 - https://www.scribd.com/document/1028546698/ICJP-v-A-judgment?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Covering the critical intersections of politics and law in the UK with expert commentary on high-profile legal cases, political controversies, prisons and sentencing, human rights law, current political events and the shifting landscape of justice and democracy. With in-depth discussions and influential guests, Double Jeopardy is the podcast that uncovers the forces shaping Britain's legal and political future. 

What happens when politics and law collide? How do politics shape the law - and when does the law push back? What happens when judicial independence is tested, human rights come under attack, or freedom of expression is challenged? And who really holds power in Britain's legal and political system?  Get answers to questions like these weekly on Wednesdays. 

Double Jeopardy is presented by Ken Macdonald KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions, and Tim Owen KC, as they break down the legal and political issues in Britain. From high-profile legal cases to the evolving state of British democracy, Double Jeopardy offers expert legal commentary on the most pressing topics in UK law, politics, and human rights. 

Ken Macdonald KC served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2003-2008, shaping modern prosecutorial policy and advocating for the rule of law. He is a former Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, and a leading writer, commentator and broadcaster on politics and the rule of law. 

Tim Owen KC has been involved in many of the most significant public, criminal and human rights law cases over the past four decades.  Both bring unparalleled experience from the frontline of Britain's legal and political landscape. 

If you like The Rest Is Politics, Talking Politics, Law Pod UK and Today in Focus, you'll love Double Jeopardy.

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