Streeter takes responsibility for troubled family Bill

Former commercial solicitor Gary Streeter MP is to take charge of the controversial Family Law Bill in its final stages.

Streeter inherits the job from Jonathan Evans MP after being whip on the Family Law Bill during its committee stage.

Streeter, who lists "the family" as one of his interests in a parliamentary guide, was articled at City firm Clifford Chance. He joined Foot & Bowden in Plymouth in 1980 and became a partner in 1984.

In 1993, Streeter was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Solicitor General Sir Derek Spencer, and in 1994 to the Attorney General, Sir Nicholas Lyell.

His appointment precedes the Bill's third reading in the House of Commons.

He will be responsible for tempering ill-feeling over the troubled legislation. The Law Society and the Solicitors Family Law Association have both withdrawn their support.

SFLA chair Nigel Shepherd was due to meet with Streeter on Friday to discuss further amendments to the Bill.

He said: "Streeter has obviously been heavily involved in the Bill from the beginning and we look forward to working with him."