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Ine thank you so much, it’s cold and snowy outside, certainly even for us Brits, but a very warm welcome. Thank you so much for your hospitality and I think above all for Norway’s friendship. We really value it and I believe we can do even more in the months and years ahead.

As Ine said, I had a meeting with Minister Ulstein, we’re looking forward to the roundtable with Nordic Foreign Ministers later on this afternoon. Again, the different areas of collaboration I think are really exciting for us. We’ve obviously got a long-standing partnership across many areas, from the ‘force for good’ work we do within aid and development through to security collaboration.

We are fellow NATO members. UK armed forces have trained in Norway with your brilliant troops for over 50 years. I think one of the most professional partnerships we have – certainly very prized on our side.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in defending the North Atlantic and countering threats in the region. And now I think it’s fantastic having you on the security council – so many areas of common interest – but more importantly common values.

Norway, the incredible contribution you are already making, whether it’s on climate change or the recent initiative we worked together on to allow COVID-19 vaccinations to take place in conflict zones, so having a ceasefire moment in conflict zones for that vaccination.

Your lead on humanitarian issues in Syria is also I think laudable and something that we respect to learn from and also want to support. We are also building a new economic partnership. I think the negotiations on the new Free Trade Agreement with EEA EFTA members are going well.

Of course, there are always issues we will haggle on but for us the political imperative of a win-win deal is extremely important. And of course it builds on the agreement we signed last year to make sure we’ve got full rights for UK citizens living in Norway, and also Norwegians living in the UK. Just to say that we think the contributions Norwegians make in the UK is brilliant, they are always welcome and always valued.

So, as I said, our partnership is one of shared values, as champions of democracy, human rights and the international rule of law. We want to get the vaccine delivered obviously at home but also to the poorest and most vulnerable countries around the world.

We are pursuing sustainable development, we want to bounce back economically from this terrible pandemic in a more sustainable and greener way. All areas where we’re working together and, of course, with the UK hosting the COP26, in wanting to switch the dial on climate change, we couldn’t have a better partner than our Norwegian friends in making sure that we are ambitious, that we are getting other countries locked into a deal which can really serve as a step forward.

We are delighted to sign the memorandum of understanding on increased cooperation in the Polar Regions. Because after all we’re not just North Sea neighbours, we are also neighbours in the Antarctic. And, of course, the Polar Regions are the fastest warming places on the planet and that has implications for all of us because of the impact on sea levels.

So I’m delighted today that we’ve committed to work on scientific research and also for advocating increased protections for the Arctic and the Southern Oceans which again Norway leads on and I know that your Prime Minister is really committed to as well.

Above all, there’s a huge amount of interest for our citizens in all this collaboration, whether it’s on trade or security cooperation and I think the scope for Norway and the UK being an even stronger force for good in the world in the weeks, months and years ahead is enormous and I’m very optimistic that that relationship will go from strength to strength.

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP was sworn-in today at the Royal Courts of Justice as Attorney General for England and Wales.

The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP joined the new Attorney General at the ceremony where she was sworn-in as Solicitor General for England and Wales.

The Lord Chancellor, the Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, and the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Burnett of Maldon, spoke at the ceremony to welcome the Law Officers into their new roles.

The Lord Chancellor, the Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP said:

Law Officers hold a historic and important role in our democracy – ensuring governments act lawfully, while overseeing the vital work of our prosecuting authorities. As a former Law Officer myself, I well appreciate their vital work.

I have no doubt that the new Attorney General and Solicitor General will bring the energy, diligence and independence these positions require, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to build back confidence in the justice system.

Commenting on his new appointment the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP said:

It is a privilege to be sworn-in as Attorney General for England and Wales. I am also delighted to see Lucy Frazer sworn-in as Solicitor General.

I would like to thank both the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice for their warm words in welcoming me to the position. I very much look forward to working with them in the unique roles we each play in upholding the rule of law at the heart of the UK constitution.

Commenting after the ceremony, the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP said:

It is a great honour to be sworn-in as Solicitor General for England and Wales and I thank everyone for their kind words since my appointment.

This is an important role and I look forward to working with the Attorney in making law and politics work together at the heart of Government decision making.

The Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, the Law Officers oversee the Law Officers’ departments which include which include the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office, and the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences, and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

Notes

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales on 2 March 2021 by the Prime Minister. He has replaced the Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP who is on maternity leave.

The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP was appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales on 2 March by the Prime Minister.

Biographies:

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP: Michael Ellis was appointed Attorney General on 2 March 2021. He previously held the position of Solicitor General from July 2019 to March 2021. He was Minister of State at the Department for Transport from 23 May 2019 to 25 July 2019. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from January 2018 to May 2019. He was Deputy Leader of the House of Commons from 17 July 2016 to 8 January 2018.

Michael was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in July 2019. In October 2019 he was appointed a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council.

The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP: Lucy Frazer was appointed Solicitor General on 2 March 2021. She previously held the position of Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice from July 2019 to March 2021. She was Solicitor General from 9 May 2019 to 25 July 2019. She was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice.

Prior to becoming an MP, Lucy was a barrister and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2013. Lucy was appointed a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council on 10 March 2021.