A Conservative councillor has been removed from his role as a magistrate after publicly accusing a judge of 'two-tier justice' and criticising a ruling against anti-Ulez activists. Simon Fawthrop, who represents the Orpington ward on Bromley Council, made the comments outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in December 2024 while acting as a spokesman for four defendants convicted of harassing Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) found Mr Fawthrop guilty of gross misconduct. The disciplinary panel ruled that his conduct 'had the cumulative effect of undermining public confidence in the judiciary and the criminal justice system'. His comments included criticism of District Judge Daniel Sternberg's impartiality and integrity, which were deemed inappropriate for a serving magistrate.
Mr Fawthrop had argued that his remarks were made in his capacity as a councillor, not as a magistrate. However, the panel noted he had referred to his judicial status during one statement and had failed to notify his bench chair of his involvement in the case. The JCIO stated that his justification demonstrated 'a fundamental misunderstanding of the obligations of judicial office'.
The controversy arose after activists Nicholas Arlett, Martin Whitehead, Alison Young and Lloyd Dunsford were convicted of harassment and fined for demonstrating near Sir Sadiq's home in Tooting. The protest opposed the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). Mr Fawthrop described the verdict as 'a travesty of justice' and a 'body-blow to free speech', suggesting the judge should have recused himself over alleged unconscious bias.
Mr Fawthrop has been sacked with immediate effect. He had previously claimed the complaint against him was 'politically motivated'. The JCIO's decision is final.
