Overview
- On Wednesday the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office revealed District Judge Andrew Simpson was removed from office following complaints that he sent a highly sexualised image and made unwanted physical contact with court staff.
- Investigators said complaints also cited overly familiar contact by text and social media and an email from his judicial account using highly inappropriate terms about colleagues.
- A JCIO disciplinary panel found he had communicated inappropriately and failed to recognise the power imbalance with staff but recommended a reprimand, the most serious penalty short of removal.
- Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr and Lord Chancellor David Lammy overruled that recommendation after finding the behaviour was repeated, abused his position, caused staff distress, and showed insufficient insight.
- The case shows how the JCIO process can lead to escalation by senior judges and ministers and may prompt closer attention to staff protection and workplace standards across the courts.