JCIO 53/20

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

The Lord Chancellor and Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb DBE, on behalf of the Lord Chief justice, have issued Ann-Marie Cousins JP, of the South-East London Bench, with formal advice for retweeting a petition about a contentious issue from a twitter account on which she identified herself as a magistrate. In reaching their decision they took into consideration that, while she had not intended to do so, Mrs Cousins had acted in a way the could give rise to doubts as to her impartiality.

Notes for Editors

Media queries in relation to the JCIO should be made in the first instance to the Judicial Press Office - telephone 020 7073 4852 or via email - press.enquiries@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk

For more information about the Office, including details on how to make a complaint against a judicial office holder, you can visit the JCIO website at: https://www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk