YSG accused of 'humbug and lies'

A new Law Society election row has erupted - this time over the deputy vice-presidency. One candidate is branding chairman of the Young Solicitors Group (YSG) Richard Moorhead a "political charlatan" for backing his former boss Michael Napier.

Candidate Trevor Murray launched a stinging attack on Moorhead after the YSG publicly endorsed his opponent.

Murray says Moorhead should have revealed in the YSG's endorsement statement that he used to work for Napier at Irwin Mitchell.

He dismisses an assertion that the YSG and its national executive have had discussions with him as "humbug and lies", claiming he was merely asked "three or four loaded questions" by Moorhead in a phone call that lasted barely 10 minutes.

Murray says he appreciates that young solicitors have problems that need to be addressed and that he does not wish to attack the YSG, but adds: "If it wants to be considered as a group of integrity, it clearly has a more serious problem - a political charlatan in its chair who shows scant regard for representing its true interests."

Moorhead responds: "I am disappointed to see the executive's honest, open and positive assessment of the candidates treated in such a malicious and unfounded way. We would urge Trevor Murray to focus on the issues."