Liberty names Doughty Street barrister as successor to Shami Chakrabarti

Human rights group Liberty has appointed Martha Spurrier, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, as its new Director.

Spurrier will replace Shami Chakrabarti, who is standing down after 12 years leading the organisation.

At Doughty Street, Spurrier specialised in public law and civil claims against public authorities. She was previously a lawyer at mental health charity Mind and the Public Law Project.

Spurrier said: "It’s a huge privilege to join an organisation I’ve admired and supported for so long. Liberty is a dynamic, dauntless and unshakeably principled force in the fight to protect our rights and freedoms. It has been fearlessly confronting state power for more than eight decades – and its work is needed now more than ever.

“In this fast-paced, complex, digital world the battle to defend our human rights faces new frontiers. Liberty must continue to shine a light on abuses of power and protect equality, dignity and fairness in our society. I look forward to joining Liberty’s formidable staff and members to take on these challenges in the pivotal months and years to come.”

Frances Butler, Chair of Liberty, said: “Martha Spurrier shone out in a competitive field as our unanimous choice to lead Liberty into the next phase of its proud history.

“She is a compelling and fearless campaigner with energy, gravitas, a first-class mind and a quick wit. We are confident that, under Martha’s leadership, Liberty will continue to vigorously and successfully champion all our rights and freedoms.”

Chakrabarti said she was “proud to be succeeded by such a brilliant young barrister – a woman so capable of taking her advocacy from our highest courts to the nation's hearts.

“With so many threats to refugee protection, online privacy and even our Human Rights Act, Liberty was never more needed, nor its leadership ever in better hands."