Who is Andy Slaughter, UK's Labour Party's new anti-Israel Solicitor General? - explainer

The article profiles Andy Slaughter, the UK's new Solicitor General under PM Andy Burnham, highlighting his long record of anti-Israel activism and pro-Palestinian positions. It details his meetings with Hamas associates, calls for negotiations with Hamas, accusations of Israeli civilian killings, support for boycotting settlement goods, and opposition to the IHRA antisemitism definition. The appointment has drawn criticism from Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who called it an 'absolute disgrace.'

The UK's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, appointed Andy Slaughter as Solicitor General, a role that provides core legal advice to the government and oversees public-interest functions including terrorism-related prosecutions. Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick, has a long record of anti-Israel activism. He met with Hamas associates in 2010, called for negotiations with Hamas without preconditions, and has accused Israel of indiscriminately killing civilians. He has promoted boycotting goods from Israeli settlements, voted against adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and celebrated the UK's recognition of Palestine in September 2025. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy called the appointment an 'absolute disgrace,' citing Slaughter's 'sympathy for Hamas.' The article notes Slaughter's involvement with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and his vote to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group.