A circuit judge has resigned after losing an appeal against a decision to remove him from office following allegations over his private life.

Gerald Price QC, a judge on the Wales circuit, was the subject of media reports that he had had a relationship with a male prostitute in June 2009.

A judicial investigation, which focused only on aspects of the allegations that would have an impact on his role as a judge, concluded that his actions had brought the judiciary into disrepute. The lord chancellor and lord chief justice informed Price in December 2009 that he would be removed from office.

Price exercised his right to have the decision reviewed by a Review Body panel, which was chaired by Lady Justice Smith. The panel agreed with the original decision that Price should be removed from office. However, Price resigned on 30 June before the disciplinary process had formally concluded.

A spokeswoman for the Office for Judicial Complaints said: ‘Gerald Price QC, a circuit judge who was appointed to the Wales circuit in 2000, has resigned from judicial office following an investigation into allegations about his conduct originally published in the media in June 2009.

‘While the media reported a number of allegations against Judge Price, the judicial investigation only focused on those that had an impact on his role as a judge. The investigation found that his actions brought the judiciary into disrepute, rendering his position untenable. In the light of the investigation, the lord chancellor and lord chief justice informed the judge in December 2009 that they considered his behaviour merited removal from office.

‘In accordance with the judicial discipline regulations, Judge Price was entitled to ask for their decision to be reviewed by a Review Body panel. He did so and the panel was chaired by Lady Justice Smith. The panel agreed with the original decision of the lord chief justice and lord chancellor and recommended that Judge Price should be removed from office. The judge has, however, resigned before the disciplinary process was formally concluded. His resignation took effect from 30 June 2010.’