Simon Fawthrop, Orpington councillor and magistrate, has been booted from his judicial role after blasting a court ruling on anti-ULEZ protesters. His explosive comments outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court have cost him dearly.
Fawthrop Slams Judge Over Protest Verdict
After four protesters were convicted of harassing London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Fawthrop told reporters the verdict was “inconsistent” and a “body-blow to free speech.” He slammed District Judge Daniel Sternberg’s impartiality and claimed the ruling created a “two-tier justice system.” He pointed to Greenpeace activists, acquitted after scaling Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s roof, as an example.
Judicial Conduct Panel Finds Councillor Guilty of Gross Misconduct
A complaint led to an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO). They ruled Fawthrop “fundamentally misunderstood” his judicial duties. The JCIO criticised him for not informing his bench chair of his role as protesters’ spokesperson and for publicly attacking the judiciary while still identifying himself as a magistrate.
The panel said his actions “undermined public confidence in the judiciary and the criminal justice system.” Despite claiming political bias behind the complaint and insisting he was acting as a councillor, Fawthrop admitted he mentioned his magistrate status during his media appearances and apologised for this “unintentional” slip.
Senior Judges Back Removal from Magistracy
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr and Lord Chancellor David Lammy upheld the disciplinary panel’s decision. They confirmed Fawthrop’s conduct was gross misconduct, officially ending his stint as a magistrate. The controversy erupted after Nicholas Arlett, Martin Whitehead, Alison Young, and Lloyd Dunsford were found guilty of harassment for staging a protest near Sadiq Khan’s Tooting home against the ULEZ expansion.
