Attorney General Lord Hermer has planning approval to build a luxury holiday home on £1.5 million of land he was gifted in a deal that appears to have avoided hundreds of thousands of pounds in inheritance tax.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Lord Hermer, who was accused of pursuing a ‘witch hunt’ against British troops, and his wife were given land and two large barns in an affluent corner of West Sussex in March 2019 by his wife’s parents.
Under the so-called ‘seven-year rule’, the plot is now exempt from an inheritance tax bill of up to £470,000.
The rule allows gifts to be passed on free from inheritance tax if the person giving the gift lives for seven years after doing so.
The Hermers have already installed a stunning ‘natural’ swimming pool and a landscaped seating area on the site. They also have approval to convert a large 18th-century barn into a luxurious home with four en-suite bedrooms, two lounges, a games room and boat storage area.
The second, smaller barn had already been converted into a home before it was transferred to the Hermers.
The revelation comes just days after claims that while in private practice Lord Hermer, one of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest allies, sought an hourly fee of £450 for pursuing claims of war crimes against British soldiers later found to be ‘deliberate lies’.
It is claimed that he acted as lead counsel in civil claims against the Ministry of Defence brought by Iraqis who alleged that British soldiers had tortured and murdered civilians during the Battle of Danny Boy in Southern Iraq in 2004.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Lord Hermer (pictured), who was accused of pursuing a ‘witch hunt’ against British troops, and his wife were given land and two large barns in an affluent corner of West Sussex in March 2019 by his wife’s parents
Lord Hermer, who is one of Sir Keir Starmer's closest allies, has faced claims that while in private practice he sought an hourly fee of £450 for pursuing claims of war crimes against British soldiers later found to be ‘deliberate lies’. Pictured: Sir Keir leaving No 10
Emails show that he was warned his clients could be ‘on the make’ and that their allegations were ‘nonsense’, according to The Daily Telegraph. The UK’s most senior lawyer is now facing calls to resign over his role and has been reported to the barristers’ watchdog for alleged serious professional misconduct.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said that he had ‘always acted with the highest professional standards’ and that ‘any suggestion he knowingly acted on false claims is categorically untrue’.
Lord Hermer and his wife were granted permission for the works on their Sussex land in 2023. Sources close to the couple say they have not proceeded with the plan.
The couple acquired the site in March 2019 when the parents of Lord Hermer’s wife, who live in a house they own nearby, transferred them five separate but adjoining title deeds.
Official documents show that, while the plots were valued at £1.5 million together, no money was recorded as being paid, meaning they were given as a gift.
Lord Hermer and his wife also own a home in London, which was bought for £1.6 million in 2005.
A spokesman for Lord Hermer said: ‘The family transferred ownership of the property in an entirely legal and proper way, and there
is no suggestion from The Mail on Sunday otherwise.’