Amagistrate who called into a radio programme where he identified his role has been issued with a formal warning for misconduct. David Whitehead phoned into a live LBC radio programme where he identified himself as a magistrate and criticised a statement made by a junior government minister regarding the deportation of foreign nationals at sentencing.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: ‘Magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment to be circumspect in their conduct and maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times.
‘The guide to judicial conduct reminds office holders that they should not comment publicly on matters of controversy including the merits, meaning or likely effect of government policy or proposals.’
Whitehead said he was ‘expressing a personal opinion in a private capacity which did not represent the views of the magistracy’.
The JCIO said: ‘He stated that he only confirmed his judicial status when asked. He argued that he was not commenting on official government policy and that his contribution was balanced and transparent.’
