Anti-vax lawyer Sue Grey’s comments about Covid-19 vaccines did not amount to misconduct because they were made as a private citizen, a tribunal has found.
After complaints were made against Grey’s public comments and campaigning against Covid-19 vaccines, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal investigated if it amounted to misconduct.
The tribunal oversees the conduct of lawyers and has the ability to reprimand, fine or suspend them.
The decision stated lawyers should not have fewer rights to free speech than the average citizen, however, they had a greater responsibility in how they used it.
Evidence provided to the tribunal consisted of a statement from a professional standards officer and numerous Facebook posts under the same of Sue Grey but appeared on the New Zealand Outdoors and Freedom Party page.
It acknowledged many of these posts were unable to be directly associated with Grey.
