New solicitor general appointed

Boris Johnson has appointed Alex Chalk MP as solicitor general. He will oversee the Law Officers’ Departments, which include the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office, the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. Chalk will also carry out various functions in the public interest, such as the consideration of unduly lenient sentences and contempt of court cases. Chalk said he was looking forward to working “to continue the Government’s work in rebuilding confidence and trust in our criminal justice system”.