Robert Jenrick Urges Solicitors’ Watchdog to Investigate Hamas Legal Challenge

 

Robert Jenrick, the Conservative shadow justice secretary, has called for an urgent investigation into Riverway Law, the firm leading a legal challenge against the UK government’s designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. In a letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Jenrick demanded a “thorough and transparent investigation,” raising concerns about whether the firm has adhered to professional standards and the UK’s sanctions regime.

 

‘Hamas shot her twice, that’s a threat, isn’t it?’ ‘The framing of your question is appalling.’ After a British lawyer chose to represent Hamas pro bono, 
@TomSwarbrick1 presses him on the claim that they’re ‘no threat to Britain.’

‘Hamas shot her twice, that’s a threat, isn’t it?’
‘The framing of your question is appalling.’

After a British lawyer chose to represent Hamas pro bono, @TomSwarbrick1 presses him on the claim that they’re ‘no threat to Britain.’ pic.twitter.com/z7oZrHRvLN

— LBC (@LBC) April 14, 2025

 

Riverway Law submitted a 106-page application to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, arguing that the UK’s proscription of Hamas violates protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly those concerning freedom of speech. The firm’s case, led by Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk, asserts that the terrorist designation is disproportionate and that Hamas poses “no threat to the UK people.”

 

 

Jenrick, however, expressed alarm at the firm’s actions and questioned whether Riverway had complied with SRA guidance and broader legal standards. “There are significant questions as to whether Riverway have complied with their obligations under the UK sanctions regime, the SRA’s own published guidance, and broader professional standards expected of solicitors,” he wrote.

 

 

Riverway’s director, Fahad Ansari, defended the firm’s position, stating that it had engaged with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), external counsel, and other experts before taking on the case. “We were in contact with OFSI, external counsel and others who had represented sanctioned organisations, to ensure that we did not breach our duties under the sanctions regime,” Ansari told The Telegraph. He also criticised Jenrick personally, calling him a “low grade politician, lack[ing] any insight on responsible public service.”

 

Ansari’s past social media activity has also come under scrutiny. He has previously posted messages referring to Hamas as a “legitimate resistance movement,” describing its fighters as “courageous Palestinian mujahideen,” and declaring: “you should view Hamas as an army of angels.” In another post, he wrote: “Dear ICC and ICJ. You are hopeless. Only armed resistance can protect the Palestinians from this genocide.”

 

In his April Eid message, Ansari celebrated “the courageous Palestinian mujahideen who continue to resist the Western-backed Israeli genocide entirely on their own,” and said, “You are the pride of this Ummah. May you celebrate Eid one day in a fully liberated Palestine.” In June, he posted: “If you believe genocidal Israel is the most moral army in the world, then you should view Hamas as an army of angels.” In August, he wrote: “Dear ICC and ICJ. You are hopeless. Only armed resistance can protect the Palestinians from this genocide.”

 

Earlier this week, Riverway Law shared a video online featuring Ansari and two colleagues submitting their legal case to the Home Office. Jenrick condemned the video as “an obvious publicity stunt” with “equally obvious reputational risks” for the firm. Citing SRA principles, he said, “The way in which Riverway have publicised their legal work for Marzouk is in my opinion a repulsive breach of all of these principles.”

 

Jenrick added, “There is legitimate public interest to ascertain whether Riverway have complied with, or are in breach of, these elements of the SRA guidance.”

 

Ansari responded, “Any empathy that I have demonstrated towards the victims of the ongoing holocaust in Gaza do not in any way detract from the robust merits of this legal application. The right to resistance against apartheid and settler colonial states such as Israel is enshrined in international law. The views that I have expressed are consistent with that and are an exercise of the right to free speech which sits at the heart of the application – it’s a fundamental right that should be valued and not used to attack the integrity of those with whom we disagree.”

 

Riverway Law also issued a statement asserting that legal professionals must not be conflated with their clients. “There is an established convention that lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions, precisely because it endangers lawyers for carrying out their duties. Any media outlet that continues to promote this narrative in relation to us is effectively placing a target on our backs, and knows it.”

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-04-17

 

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A muslim law firm... if wrong, out of the country too.

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

Ansari’s past social media activity has also come under scrutiny. He has previously posted messages referring to Hamas as a “legitimate resistance movement,” describing its fighters as “courageous Palestinian mujahideen,” and declaring: “you should view Hamas as an army of angels.” In another post, he wrote: “Dear ICC and ICJ. You are hopeless. Only armed resistance can protect the Palestinians from this genocide.”

Ooh!  Posting things on social media has gotten some people many months in jail in the UK.  Surely backing a proscribed terrorist organisation is worthy of prosecution?  Jail time too!  Disbarment from the legal profession?  Such a golden opportunity, surely.

 

Oh wait, there's a 2-tier justice system in the UK...

If they win this HAMAS will be able to migrate to the UK and set up operations there as 'they are not a threat to the UK'.

If they win, Riverway Law, it will be the end of the UK!

Surely defending a terrorist organization as per the UK Government definition would show how soft the UK is on terrorism and would set a precedent!

On 4/17/2025 at 3:17 AM, Watawattana said:

Oh wait, there's a 2-tier justice system in the UK...

Looking like you lot need to reintroduce firearms to "The Common Man", the leaders can't seem to fix things. 🤠