According to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO), Lincolnshire-based David Whitehead JP identified himself as a magistrate during the live-on-air call, and ‘criticised a statement made by a junior government minister regarding the deportation of foreign nationals at sentencing’.
Whitehead argued in his defence he was expressing a personal opinion in a private capacity which did not represent the views of the magistracy, only confirmed his judicial status when asked, made a balanced and transparent contribution, and was not commenting on official government policy.
Following investigation, however, a nominated committee member found Whitehead’s conduct breached the standards expected of judicial officeholders and that his actions risked undermining public confidence in judicial impartiality and independence.
