Legal commentator and journalist Joshua Rozenberg tackled the relationship between judges, media and politicians at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s annual human rights lecture.

The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, introduced Mr Rozenberg (pictured), who spoke on the subject “Are Judges ‘Enemies of the People’?”.

Speaking ahead of the lecture, Mr Rozenberg said: “Judges are not ‘Enemies of the People’. Abuse of the judiciary – or of anyone else – should never be tolerated. But judges have to understand that journalists are not there to do their bidding.

“We’re going to report what they say and do, even if they would rather we didn’t. We in the media – as well as the politicians – can and should maintain a respectful but robust relationship with Her Majesty’s Judges, reporting not just their judgments but — on rare occasions — their misjudgments too.”

The lecture was organised by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in partnership with The Bar of Northern Ireland.

Chief Commissioner Les Allamby said: “We are delighted to host the esteemed Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon) at our Annual Human Rights Lecture in Northern Ireland. We would also like to thank the Bar for their partnership once again this year with this event.

“Tension in the relationships between judges and politicians is an issue that is not only confined to London. There is no better person to offer an insight into this area than Joshua.”

Liam McCollum QC, chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, added: “The Bar of Northern Ireland are proud to partner with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in hosting what promises to be an illuminating and highly topical lecture, and we are delighted to welcome Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon) to be our guest at the Inn of Court.”