New UK PM Burnham’s solicitor general appointment met with Hamas in 2010

New UK PM Andy Burnham's appointment of Andy Slaughter as solicitor general faces criticism after photos emerge of Slaughter meeting Hamas members in Jerusalem in 2010 alongside Jeremy Corbyn. Slaughter, who will oversee prosecutions of proscribed terror groups, has faced accusations of sympathy for Hamas.

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's appointment of Andy Slaughter as solicitor general is under fire after resurfaced photos showed Slaughter meeting Hamas members in Jerusalem in 2010. Slaughter, then a Labour MP, joined Jeremy Corbyn on a fact-finding trip sponsored by pro-Palestinian groups. The delegation met with Hamas officials, including Mohammed Totah, Ahmed Attoun, and Khaled Abu-Arafeh. In his new role, Slaughter will have significant power over prosecutions of proscribed terrorist organizations, including Hamas. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy called the appointment "an absolute disgrace." The Attorney General's Office defended Slaughter, stating he has consistently condemned Hamas and supports a two-state solution. Slaughter also voted against adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2018 and previously argued for negotiations with Hamas without preconditions.