Liz Truss Breaks Silence On Backlash Against Judiciary Following Article 50 Ruling

'Check your outhouses, sheds and orangeries.'

Lord chancellor and justice secretary Liz Truss has broken her silence on the issue of attacks on the judiciary over Thursday’s Article 50 ruling after enduring widespread criticism.

The High Court judgement that the prime minister may not trigger Article 50 without first consulting Parliament.

Friday’s front pages on the issue included the Daily Mail featuring a line-up of the High Court judges, labelling them “enemies of the people”, while the Daily Express likened the decision to the dark days of the Second World War and claimed this was “the day democracy died”.

The Bar Council called on Liz Truss to speak out on the issue
The Bar Council called on Liz Truss to speak out on the issue
Isabel Infantes/EMPICS Entertainment

Truss said the independence of the judiciary was the “foundation upon which our rule of law is built” in response to barristers’ demands that she back the profession after the controversial ruling.

Statement from the Lord Chancellor Elizabeth Truss pic.twitter.com/zUpnoumFi2

— Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) November 5, 2016

In a statement on its website the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, said: “The Bar Council of England and Wales condemns the serious and unjustified attacks on the judiciary arising out of the Article 50 litigation.

“It regrets the lack of public statement by the Lord Chancellor condemning these attacks and calls upon the Lord Chancellor to do so as a matter of urgency.

“A strong independent judiciary is essential to a functioning democracy and to upholding the rule of law.”

Earlier on Saturday morning the hashtag #WheresLizTruss began trending, with many expressing disbelief that she had not commented on the issue...

"I am determined to defend the independence of the judiciary", she promised the country.

But #WheresLizTruss now? pic.twitter.com/bBpIwxYG7I

— Shoaib M Khan (@ShoaibMKhan) November 4, 2016

There comes a point where silence appears complicit. Where it appears to condone.#wheresLizTruss #wheresthePM

— Schona Jolly (@WomaninHavana) November 5, 2016

Being LC requires more than just dressing up. You've got to stand up and speak up for the Judiciary. Now. #WheresLizTruss pic.twitter.com/iJZfOW9CiH

— Tim Sapwell (@TimSapwell) November 5, 2016

A Lord Chancellor who thinks importing cheese is 'a disgrace' but has nothing to say about calling judges traitors? FFS UK. #wheresLizTruss

— Richard Gomer (@richardgomer) November 4, 2016

The silence of the Lord Chancellor truly speaks volumes. #wheresLizTruss

— timburrows (@timburrows19) November 5, 2016

#wheresLizTruss Liz likes to dress as the Lord Chancellor - but clearly doesn't like the responsibility. pic.twitter.com/YbAMK2OVAw

— Gav 🇪🇺 48% (@Socialistdawn) November 5, 2016

Twitter users decided to mount their own search, although some did appear to have their own ideas for where she might have been...

It's that time of year again - please check your bonfires carefully for sleeping hedgehogs and @trussliz #wheresLizTruss

— John (@shrimperbhoy) November 5, 2016

Guys, I think I might have found her #wheresLizTruss pic.twitter.com/pFnUMSdh9O

— Mads-Mania (@fannibal_me) November 5, 2016

Maybe she got locked in a garage? It happened to me once... #wheresLizTruss

— Prisoncat (@prisoncat222) November 5, 2016

Check your outhouses, sheds, orangeries this weekend Liz Truss is missing & we are growing concerned #wheresLizTruss pic.twitter.com/V4T9wpkvaa

— Paul (@Paul1Singh) November 5, 2016

Moved car off the drive and something darted out from underneath. Thought it was Liz Truss, but it turned out to be a cat #wheresLizTruss

— Paul Williams (@Pwill666) November 5, 2016

Hello @MoJGovUK We're a bit worried about your boss, hope she's ok... #wheresLizTruss Those nasty #enemiesofthestate can be a bit scary

— Iain Millar (@IainDM) November 5, 2016

#wheresLizTruss Just passed an empty mineshaft, the collie didn't give the slightest whimper, not down there.

— Tania Berry (@TaniaJBerry) November 5, 2016

The Guardian reported the refused to condemn any of Friday’s front pages, despite widespread criticism of the coverage in a number of papers, including the Daily Mail, Daily Express, Sun and Daily Telegraph.

He said: “I don’t think the British judiciary is being undermined.

“I’m not commenting on newspaper coverage.”

The PM has been urged to speak out over the backlash,, which has been described as “chilling” and aking to “Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe”.

Tory MP and former attorney general Grieve told BBC Newsnight that he was “horrified” by the way some sections of the media covered the ruling, saying: “The judges did exactly what was asked of them.”

He also described attacks the judiciary as “chilling and outrageous” and “smacking of the fascist state”, according to the Press Association.

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