Judge disciplined for calling trans campaigner a ‘stupid, condescending fool’
A judge who called a transgender rights campaigner a “stupid, condescending fool” on social media has been disciplined by the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice.
Simon Myerson KC, the judge, has been found guilty of misconduct by Alex Chalk and Baroness Carr for acting in “an offensive manner” and failing to “maintain the standards of his judicial office”.
Mr Myerson has been issued with “formal advice” – a form of judicial reprimand – by the pair after complaints from two trans activists led to an inquiry into his tweets by the judicial conduct investigations office.
Social media guidance for judges advises them to avoid online debates about the judiciary, legal system or other politically controversial topics. They are also expected to maintain “their moral authority, integrity, decorum and dignity” of their judicial office.
In his tweets, Mr Myerson mocked a transgender activist’s “tiny intellect” and questioned whether he would be “shot when the trans revolution happens”.
‘Idiotic statements’
He accused them of “idiotic statements”, saying that “trying to patronise me as well doesn’t make the nonsense true”.
“You lack the intellect to see the point,” he said.
Mr Myerson was also reprimanded by the Lady Chief Justice for having “engaged in politically controversial topics”, a criticism that raised questions over his impartiality.
In the tweets, Mr Myerson, who is the chairman of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, linked transgender campaigners to the Left-wing politics of Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader.
‘Tiny intellect’
“Part of the problem is that the people who conduct the debate on the ‘side’ of trans people are the same people who cheered on Corbyn. It means the politics are poisonously personal and the intellect is tiny. You stupid, condescending, fool,” said Mr Myerson.
“I think the reason so many of the stupid Left are invested in Chomsky’s brilliance ... is that they feel a need for intellect.
“They can’t get it from Corbyn who even they realise lacks the requisite quality. They batten onto Noam.
So [twitter handle of the transgender activist] – what’s the deal? I’m blocked but I’m not on your list of people to be shot when the trans revolution happens. Can I appeal?”
‘Posted inappropriately’
In a statement, a spokesman for the judicial conduct investigations office said: “The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Recorder Simon Myerson with formal advice for misconduct after he posted inappropriately on Twitter (now known as X).
“In making their recommendation, the nominated judge considered that Recorder Myerson had identified his judicial status in historic tweets, engaged in politically controversial issues, sometimes in an offensive manner, and failed to maintain the standards of his judicial office.
“Having considered the facts of the case, the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge that Recorder Myerson’s actions amounted to judicial misconduct and that the appropriate disciplinary sanction is formal advice.”
