Lord Chief Justice to retire next year

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, is to retire as head of the judiciary next year, the Judicial Office said.

The 71-year-old president of the Courts of England and Wales has written to the Lord Chancellor to inform him of his decision and will officially step down at the end of September.

The move was announced "in view of public speculation" and the process to appoint his successor will begin early next year.

Lord Judge's replacement will be selected by a panel.