A magistrate who denied being homophobic over comments overheard by fellow magistrates has been issued with a reprimand.
Dr Charles Jumbo expressed his personal views on homosexuality during a conversation with colleagues in the retiring room. Three magistrates raised a complaint over the comments which they said made them feel ‘concerned or uncomfortable’. Jumbo accepted he had expressed his personal views and said he regretted sharing them and for any offence caused.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said that in representations, Dr Jumbo said: ‘He had thought it was a private discussion between colleagues. He denied that he was homophobic and confirmed that he was able to make decisions fairly and treat everyone without bias.’
The disciplinary panel found ‘a gross lack of insight into the seriousness of the matter, the negative impact on others and the potential consequences of holding these views as a serving magistrate’.
It said the magistrates’ personal views ‘would cast doubt on his independence and impartiality and concluded that the public would now have limited confidence in Dr Jumbo as a magistrate’.
It recommended that the magistrate be given formal advice, the least severe sanction for misconduct by judicial office-holders. However ‘after careful consideration’ the lady chief justice and lord chancellor issued a reprimand.
The JCIO said: ‘Whilst Dr Jumbo is entitled to hold his own personal views, the reprimand underlined the importance of being mindful in sharing views, whilst acting in the capacity of a judicial office holder, which are likely to cause offence.’
