Concerns of Britain's Office for Judicial Complaints Over Judge's Comments Are Disclosed

Britain's National Secular Society (NSS) reports today that a press release earlier this month by Britain's Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) clearing part-time judge Cheri Booth (wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair) of charges of judicial misconduct omitted concerns that OJC had about her conduct. In sentencing a Muslim man in an assault case, Booth said she was imposing a suspended sentence because he is a religious person. An OJC statement said that Booth's comments did not constitute judicial misconduct and that no disciplinary action is necessary. (See prior posting.) However, a letter to NSS, the group which originally filed the complaint against Booth, said: "The Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice have expressed some concern about the impact Recorder Booth [sic] comments may have had on the public perception of the judiciary and the sentencing process. All judges must, of course, be very mindful of how they express themselves when dealing with sensitive issues of equality and diversity so as not to create the impression that some individuals can expect more leniency than others." It also disclosed that Booth would receive "informal advice from a senior judge."