Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws

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The Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
QC, FRSA
Helena Kennedy -London, England-15Jan2010.jpg
Kennedy signing The Convention on Modern Liberty in January 2009
Born Helena Ann Kennedy
(1950-05-12) 12 May 1950 (age 73)
Glasgow, Scotland,
United Kingdom
Nationality British
Occupation Barrister, television presenter
Employer Mansfield College, Oxford; BBC
Political party Labour Party
Spouse(s) Iain Louis Hutchison; 2 children
Partner(s) Iain Mitchell (1978-84); 1 child
Children Keir Kennedy Mitchell
Clio Kennedy Hutchison
Roland Kennedy Hutchison
Website www.helenakennedy.co.uk

Helena Ann Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, QC, FRSA (born 12 May 1950),[1] is a British barrister, broadcaster, and Labour member of the House of Lords. Lady Kennedy of The Shaws, as she is properly styled, is a former chair of the Human Genetics Commission, which advises Her Majesty's Government on ethical, social, and legal issues arising from developments in genetic science.[citation needed]

Background

Lady Kennedy was born in Glasgow to a devoutly Roman Catholic family. She is one of four sisters born to Joshua Patrick and Mary Veronica (née Jones) Kennedy, both committed Labour activists. Her father, a printer with the Daily Record, was a trade union leader.[1] She attended Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow, where she was appointed Head Girl. Kennedy still regularly attends Mass and professes that her Catholicism "remains very much part of who I am", even though she eschews its more traditional values. She went on to study Law at London's Council of Legal Education.[1]

Legal career

Among her many cases, Kennedy acted as junior counsel for child murderer Myra Hindley during the latter's 1974 trial for plotting to escape from Holloway.[2]

Personal life

Her first partner was the actor Iain Mitchell, with whom she lived from 1978 until 1984, and by whom she has a son. In 1986, Kennedy married Dr Iain Louis Hutchison (a surgeon), with whom she has a daughter and a son.[1]

Academia

Lady Kennedy was elected principal of Mansfield College, Oxford in July 2010 (which office she has served since September 2011).[3] She has received numerous academic awards, including:

Broadcasting

  • Creator: Blind Justice, BBC TV, 1987
  • Presenter: Heart of the Matter, BBC TV, 1987
  • After Dark, Channel 4 and BBC4, 1987–2003
    • She presented many editions of this series, including the infamous "drunk Oliver Reed" episode, where the actor verbally insulted and attempted to kiss feminist Kate Millett (see After Dark)
  • Presenter: Raw Deal on Medical Negligence, BBC TV, 1989
  • Presenter: The Trial of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover', BBC Radio 4, 1990
  • Presenter: Time Gentlemen, Please, BBC Scotland, 1994 (Winner, Television Programme Award category, 1994 Industrial Journalism Awards)
  • Commissioner, BAFTA Inquiry into the future of the BBC, 1990

Politics

Lady Kennedy rebels against her party whip in the House of Lords more frequently than any other Labour Peer, having a dissent rate of 33.3%.[5] She was Chair of Charter 88 (1992–97) and is closely affiliated to the educational charity Common Purpose.

Public leadership

Honours

Bibliography

References

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  2. "One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley", by Carol Ann Lee (2012).
  3. "Baroness Helena Kennedy QC elected next Principal of Mansfield College", University of Oxford Mansfield College, 13 April 2011.
  4. http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/graduation/honorarydegrees/honoraries2012/Pages/Baroness-Helena-Kennedy-QC.aspx
  5. Rebel Lords — Current members The Public Whip
  6. "2016: A Vision and Strategy for the Centennial" (p. 18), School of Oriental and African Studies, April 2010
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  9. The London Gazette: no. 54934. p. 12205. 30 October 1997.

External links


Academic offices
Preceded by
New Institution
Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University
1994–2001
Succeeded by
Jon Snow