A Bromley councillor who was removed from his role as a magistrate for gross misconduct has alleged that the decision was politically motivated by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. Simon Fawthrop, a Conservative representative for Petts Wood & Knoll, was dismissed from the bench after publicly criticizing a judge who convicted four anti-ULEZ activists for harassing London Mayor Sadiq Khan in December 2024.
As reported in The Standard, Fawthrop acted as a spokesman for the group and labeled District Judge Daniel Sternberg's verdict as “inconsistent” and a “body-blow to free speech.” He further suggested the judge should have recused himself due to “unconscious bias” and highlighted a separate case where Greenpeace activists were acquitted of criminal damage after climbing onto former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's roof. Fawthrop argued that Sternberg's decision “gave the public an impression of a two-tier justice system.”
Last month, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) concluded that Fawthrop's remarks had the “cumulative effect of undermining public confidence in the judiciary and the criminal justice system.” A disciplinary panel deemed his comments “inappropriate” for a serving magistrate, despite his claim that his involvement was solely as a councillor. Fawthrop admitted to referencing his judicial status during media appearances but apologized, calling it unintentional.
The panel found that Fawthrop's justification demonstrated a “fundamental misunderstanding of the obligations of judicial office” and expressed concern that he “continued to minimize the seriousness of his actions and failed to fully acknowledge the risk of damage to the magistracy and the criminal justice system.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Fawthrop said he felt “vindicated” after the activists' convictions were quashed in May 2025, claiming his comments were “effectively true.” He questioned whether his removal was a “political decision by David Lammy” and asked, “Was I treated equitably or was it a political witch hunt?”
Lammy, serving as Lord Chancellor, Justice Secretary, and Deputy Prime Minister in Keir Starmer's Labour government, approved the removal. A JCIO spokesperson stated: “The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Simon Fawthrop JP, of the South London Local Justice Area, from office for misconduct.”
Fawthrop questioned why other magistrates with criminal records retained their positions while he did not, and why the panel disregarded his 40 years of service. He noted that Judge Sternberg was “a junior compared to the amount of time I’ve done it” and argued that the magistrates' code of conduct had changed since he began in 1986, with no training on new regulations. Reflecting on his sacking, he said: “I don’t get disappointed. I’m always an optimistic person. I don’t think this will be the end of it.”
The Deputy Prime Minister has been approached for comment.
