Judge given advice on future conduct after speech criticising Election Court ruling

A judge who gave a public speech criticising the Election Commissioner’s decision in 2015 to declare the election of Lutfur Rahman as mayor of Tower Hamlets void has been given formal advice on his future conduct.

Donald Peter Herbert OBE is a Recorder of the Crown Court, a fee-paid Employment Judge and a fee-paid Immigration Judge.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: “A disciplinary panel found that the Recorder’s comments were inappropriate and put the reputation of the judiciary at risk, which amounted to misconduct. The Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed. The Lord Chief Justice has written to Mr Herbert with formal advice regarding his future conduct as a fee-paid judge.”