Blair launches group for young lawyers

LABOUR leader Tony Blair is to take time out from his campaign to change the party constitution to launch a new group for young Labour lawyers.

The Labour leader will be the star guest at the launch in the House of Commons of the Young Labour Lawyers on 7 February.

And the organisers are hoping his presence will help to kick start the new younger members' section of the well-established Society of Labour Lawyers.

Blair is himself a member of the society, set up in 1948, and says it has played a vital role in the development of the party's legal policies.

"I hope the launch will encourage more young members to get involved in this process," he adds.

The society is being organised by 25-year-old pupil barrister Mark Henderson.

"There has been a lot of interest in the Labour Party from young lawyers and the society wants to encourage them to get involved," he says.

* The Liberal Democrats deputy leader and home affairs spokesman Alan Beith MP accused the Government of undermining the constitution at the annual dinner of the association of Liberal Democrat Lawyers on Monday.

Threats to magistrates' independence, legal aid restrictions and the "slashing" of compensation to victims were among the examples Beith gave during the function at the National Liberal Club.