THE MP for Torridge and West Devon Geoffrey Cox submitted has resigned from the Attorney General post, at the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s request.

Following his resignation, Mr Cox told the Post: “I have been privileged to serve as Attorney General through some of the most critical times for our country. It is the Prime Minister’s prerogative to create the team he wishes. I now intend to support the government from the back benches and, as always, promote and protect the interests of my constituents.”

In his letter of resignation, submitted on Thursday, February 13, Mr Cox said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Attorney General in the Government, which you have led since July 2019, as it was in that of your predecessor for the previous twelve months. I am writing to resign that office, as you requested, as a result of the reshuffle and associated changes you wish to make.

“The great political mission of our time, and especially of the last 19 months, has been to implement the historic decision of the British people to leave the European Union and to regain for the United Kingdom the status of an independent, self-governing nation. Throughout the process, I have sought, as my role requires, to give candid and independent legal advice both to you and to your predecessor on how that desirable outcome might be achieved lawfully and effectively. I am delighted that our legal exit from EU membership was successfully accomplished on January 31 and that, as a country, we can now turn our attention to seizing the many opportunities which lie ahead. I wish you ever possible success in that vital task and in the forthcoming negotiation of the future relationship with the EU and of new trade deals with other countries.

“As Attorney General, I have also been honoured to lead and work with distinguished and impressive lawyers and civil servants in the Attorney General’s office and the Government Legal Department. Good work has been done to lay the foundations for appropriate review of the workings of the criminal justice system, to take a firm grip of the problem of disclosure, to equip the CPS with the means to perform its essential functions and, in introducing new governance frameworks, to enable more effective superintendence of both the CPS and SFO. I have also been able to propose workable solutions to the legitimate demands of our veterans for protection from repeated investigation and prosecution. I wish the Government and my successor well in taking all that forward.

“You will recall that when I introduced you at your campaign launch for the Conservative Party leadership last summer, I said that in you we would have a Prime Minister who would ensure the Brexit process was led by politicians not officials and who would see off the twin threats of Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage. I also bluntly told the last House of Commons in September that they risked incurring the wrath of the British people by continually frustrating the result of the referendum, and that a reckoning at the polls would come. It is very good news for our country, and a source of great personal satisfaction to me, that you have so emphatically proven those predictions to be correct.

“As I return to the backbenches, my aim will be to continue to support you and the Government, and as always to represent and promote the interests of my constituents in Torridge and West Devon.”

Mr Johnson has appointed MP for Fareham Suella Braverman to take up the mantle of Attorney General.

She will oversee the work of the law officers departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service and serious fraud office, as well as the Government’s legal department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. In her role as Attorney General Mrs Braverman will carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences, and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as a government minister.

Speaking about her appointment and thanking Mr Cox, Mrs Braverman said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Attorney General for England and Wales and look forward to working with the many excellent Government lawyers and officials. I want to thank my predecessor Geoffrey Cox QC MP for leaving me with such a strong record to build upon.

“One of my first priorities is to continue the government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our justice system, particularly with victims.”

She added: “I am proud to be joining the Attorney General’s office, a unique and historic Government department that makes law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.”