§ Mr. Proctorasked the Attorney-General what decision was reached by the Lord Chancellor concerning the written complaint which he received on 27 April 1982 questioning the suitability of Mr. Phillip Sealey to sit on the magistrates' bench in the London borough of Brent; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThis complaint was investigated in 1982 at the request of the Lord Chancellor by the local advisory committee, and as a result the magistrate concerned was reminded of the obligation resting on all members of the bench to avoid statements in public which could be understood in such a way as to give rise, in the mind of anyone hearing or reading them, to a loss of confidence in the magistrate as such or in the magistracy generally by reason of their intemporate or unbalanced approach to their subject matter.
The local advisory committee did not recommend the removal of the justice and my noble Friend accepted its advice. There are, however, other proceedings pending and sub judice which might affect the matter. In the meantime the magistrate has agreed not to sit and no further comment would be appropriate.