London Tory politician sacked as magistrate after accusing judge of two-tier justice'

"Simon Fawthrop criticized the verdict of District Judge Daniel Sternberg, calling it inconsistent and a body-blow to free speech, suggesting the judge should have withdrawn from the case."

"Fawthrop pointed to a different case involving Greenpeace activists who were cleared of criminal damage, implying that the conviction of the anti-ULEZ activists suggested a two-tier justice system."

"The JCIO notice indicated that Fawthrop publicly criticized a court judgment while acting as a spokesperson for defendants, failing to notify his bench chair of his involvement."

"During the investigation, Fawthrop claimed that the views expressed were not his own and that he had not been directly involved in the case."

Simon Fawthrop, a Conservative councillor, was removed from his position as a magistrate after publicly criticizing a judge's verdict against anti-ULEZ activists. He claimed the ruling was inconsistent and indicative of a two-tier justice system. Fawthrop's remarks were made while acting as a spokesperson for the defendants, which led to a complaint about his conduct. The investigation revealed he misunderstood his duties and failed to inform his bench chair about his involvement in the case.

Read at www.standard.co.uk