Minister of state apologises for Amal Clooney comments

The minister of state for justice has apologised for claiming prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney gets high-profile cases by virtue of her marriage to a Hollywood actor.

Lord Edward Faulks QC, whose responsibilities include supporting Justice Secretary Michael Gove, made the remarks in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The barrister and life peer told the paper: “I’m sure she gets such high-profile cases and everyone wants her because she’s married to George Clooney, and by employing her they’ll give publicity to their case.

“I mean, look at Cherie Blair: being married to Tony Blair didn’t do her career any harm.”

He also made a disparaging remark about Ms Clooney’s “new-age media trendy accent”, adding: “I can tell you, they weren’t like that when I was a barrister.”

Lord Faulks has since said: “I apologise to Amal Clooney for any offence, distress, or inconvenience caused by my comments.

“I never intended to imply that her considerable success, nor the esteem in which she is held by the legal profession, is due to her marriage.

“I regret the fact that my comments have been interpreted in this way and am very happy to set the record straight.”