A former district judge has been removed from office after sending a 'highly sexualised image' to court staff, despite claiming he was merely trying to be friendly. Andrew Simpson, a solicitor-turned-judge, was found guilty of gross misconduct following an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.
The investigation revealed that Simpson engaged in overly familiar and unprofessional conduct, including contacting staff via social media and text about non-work matters, sending photographs from social events, and making unwanted physical contact. He also sent an email from his judicial account referring to himself and colleagues in highly inappropriate terms.
Simpson acknowledged several of the claims but maintained he had no improper intent, stating he was trying to support or cheer up staff during difficult periods. The investigating panel initially recommended a reprimand, citing his positive intentions and remorse.
However, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill and Lord Chancellor David Lammy overruled this recommendation, deciding to sack Simpson. They described his behaviour as 'repeated, involved an abuse of his position, caused distress to staff, and had a detrimental impact on the working environment and on the reputation of the judiciary'.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office stated that Simpson's conduct represented a 'very serious failure of integrity' and that his position as a judicial office holder was no longer tenable. They noted that his unfounded challenge to the motivation of those supporting the complaint was an aggravating factor.
