A solicitor found to have made social media posts that were antisemitic or otherwise offensive or inappropriate has given a suspended suspension from practice.
Mohammed Sarfraz, admitted in February 2008, made admissions over most social media posts cited: six, the SDT heard yesterday, were still in dispute. Of those disputed, Sarfraz, director of Bradford firm Cartwright Solicitors, was cleared of wrongdoing in relation to one post which was found to not be antisemitic. Another was found to be inappropriate and/or offensive but not anti-diversitsemitic.
Giving summary judgment, chair Mark Millin said all allegations against Sarfraz were found proved. Between November 2019 and January 2022, Sarfraz made inappropriate and/or offensive and/or antisemitic social media posts/tweets on his Facebook and/or Twitter accounts. The posts were intentionally offensive and/or antisemitic.
He added that Sarfraz’s admissions to all but six of the 21 alleged inappropriate or offensive or antisemitic posts were ‘properly made’.
Referring to one tweet in which Sarfraz had sworn, the chair said the word was ‘deliberately chosen and designed for maximum impact’ and was ‘intentionally problematic and hostile’. He added that Sarfraz was a ‘highly intelligent and articulate’ individual, which made his choice of words ‘more significant’.
Speaking of another social media post, Millin said Sarfraz had tweeted ‘not to further legitimate debate but to cause offence’. He added: ‘The public would not expect a solicitor to engage in public debate through such offensive and inflammatory language and not to be antisemitic.’
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Sarfraz was given a six-month suspension suspended for one year, on the condition that he completes at least 10 hours of diversity and anti-racism training and at least four hours of a certified course on antisemitism.
He was also ordered to pay £63,000 costs, a reduction on the SRA’s application for costs, inclusive of VAT, of £79,482.60.
Following the hearing, Sarfraz said: ‘I acknowledge that a number of my social media posts were antisemitic and offensive, and I wish to restate my unreserved apology for these. I am truly sorry for the hurt and offence these specific comments caused, particularly to the Jewish community. I profoundly regret that my unacceptable posts not only caused distress but also detracted from legitimate advocacy for justice in Palestine.’
