Delivering some introductory words at the ceremony, Lord Wilson said it would be for Lord Hodge and Lord Reed, the president of the court, to “defend the rule of law”.

He said: “What lies ahead for you and Lord Reed? Increased scrutiny of the court? Fine. Criticism of our decisions? Of course. Absolutely essential. Unpleasant abuse of us in the media? Sign of the times.

“But some sort of erosion of our independence here? Then it would be over to the two of you to defend the rule of law.”

Lord Wilson’s remarks come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed as his new Attorney General an MP who has threatened to “take back control” from an interfering judiciary.

Suella Braverman will play a key role in the controversial Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission, which will look at the relationship between the courts and Parliament.

She has written: “The political has been captured by the legal. Decisions of an executive, legislative and democratic nature have been assumed by our courts. Prorogation and the triggering of article 50 were merely the latest examples of a chronic and steady encroachment by the judges.”

Lord Wilson also reflected on Lord Hodge’s rise through the ranks, noting that he was “brilliant in school, brilliant at Corpus, Cambridge – a First of course – a brilliant student of law at Edinburgh University, a distinction, inevitably”.

The Supreme Court justice said: “Occasionally following a Scottish appeal, I venture a mild complaint to him about the jargon surrounding Scottish legal procedure.

“Lord Hodge then tends to snap back that there is just as much jargon in the law of England and Wales but that I am used to it – which is absurd of course.”

He added: “The Law School at Edinburgh is justified in its expression of pride in its two great sons. Today, the whole of Scotland will be celebrating – well except, possibly, in Ibrox.”

He concluded: “Look Patrick, as deputy president, you’ll be brilliant, you always are.”