A magistrate who posted Facebook posts expressing views on ‘highly controversial and political matters’ has been issued with a reprimand – the most serious sanction before removal from office – for misconduct.
A complaint was made about Ansar Gulzar, who sits on the Buckinghamshire bench, in relation to four Facebook posts published between June 2025 and January 2026.
The posts were alleged to express views on ‘highly controversial and political matters and included content capable of creating the impression that Mr Gulzar held a prejudicial view of matters involving Jewish people and Israel,’ a spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said. It was further alleged that Gulzar’s Facebook and LinkedIn accounts referred to his judicial office.
The JCIO said: ‘Upon appointment, all magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking to maintain the dignity, reputation and good standing of the magistracy.
‘Judicial office holders are subject to constraints in their private life and must not act in a way which could reduce respect for judicial office or cast doubt on their independence, impartiality or integrity. Guidance also makes clear that magistrates should not use the suffix "JP" or judicial titles on social media.’
Gulzar accepted he posted the Facebook posts and took full responsibility for them.
The JCIO said: ‘He said that had been under the impression that the posts could only be seen by his family and friends and were intended for general discussion. He disputed the translation or interpretation of one of the posts and said that he should have been more careful with his choice of words.’
An investigation found the Facebook account complained of was Gulzar’s, it bore his name and image and the posts were public. Gulzar’s Facebook account was also found to refer to him as a magistrate and his LinkedIn account referred to his judicial office.
Gulzar’s conduct was found to amount to ‘serious misconduct’ as the four posts ‘formed a course of conduct rather than a series of isolated incidents’ and ‘expressed views on highly controversial and political matters’. The posts were found to have ‘the potential to cause emotional harm and undermine public confidence in the judiciary’.
The investigation also found Gulzar referred to his judicial office on social media contrary to the guidance.
Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the lady chief justice, and with the agreement of the lord chancellor issued Gulzar with a reprimand.
Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders are, in order of severity: formal advice, formal warning, reprimand and removal from office.
