A Conservative councillor has been dismissed from his role as a magistrate after publicly criticising a judge and alleging a "two-tier justice system". Simon Fawthrop, who represents Orpington ward on Bromley Council, made the controversial remarks following the conviction of four anti-ULEZ activists for harassing Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan.
Mr Fawthrop, acting as a spokesman for the defendants outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, stated that he himself was a magistrate. He labelled District Judge Daniel Sternberg’s verdict "inconsistent" and a "body-blow to free speech", further suggesting the judge should have recused himself due to "unconscious bias".
