A magistrate whose campaign leaflet included comments about government policy and the judiciary has been issued with formal advice for misconduct.
Michelle Bevan-Margetts was running for candidacy in a local election. The campaign leaflet, which featured her name, signature and photograph, included comments about the effectiveness of government policy and the judiciary.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: ‘The guide to judicial conduct reminds magistrates to ensure that their conduct, both in and out of court, maintains and enhances the confidence of the public, in their personal impartiality and that of the judiciary. They are also reminded that they should display respect for the law and should not comment publicly on the merits or likely effect of government policy.’
Bevan-Margetts said she had not personally distributed the leaflets and the version she had approved for printing did not contain the comments in issue. The JCIO said Bevan-Margetts provided evidence to support that the comments had been added later by her party without her knowledge. ‘Ms Bevan-Margetts accepted she should have checked the leaflet prior to distribution but maintained that any comments made without her explicit consent should not be attributed to her,’ the JCIO said.
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Bevan-Margetts' conduct was found to not be a deliberate breach but showed 'a failure to exercise due diligence’. Her conduct ‘could have reduced respect for judicial office, and cast doubt on her own independence, impartiality or integrity’.
Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the lady chief justice, and with the lord chancellor’s agreement issued Bevan-Margetts with formal advice for misconduct, the least severe sanction for misconduct by judicial office-holders.
