Lib Dem MP in Stephens & Scown move

The Liberal Democrats' shadow attorney-general John Burnett MP is to join South West firm Stephens & Scown following the forthcoming general election.

Burnett was senior partner for Okehampton-based Burd Pearse prior to the 1997 election, when he was selected as the MP for Torridge & West Devon.

During his tenure in Parliament, Burnett has held a wide variety of all-party posts, including sitting on every Finance Bill committee. He has led for the Liberal Democrats on tax issues such as corporation tax and inheritance tax legislation. He has been the Liberal Democrats' shadow attorney general for the last four years.

Burnett will join Stephens & Scown as a consultant. Partner Guy Curry said Burnett's experience of taxation issues would make him a valuable asset to the firm.

Stephens & Scown has offices in Exeter, Plymouth, St Austell and Truro, and with 33 partners it is involved in a variety of private client and corporate work.