A judge has been removed from his position after allegations surfaced that he sent a “highly sexualized image” to court staff, although he insisted it was meant as a friendly gesture.

Andrew Simpson, a former solicitor turned district judge, faced an investigation following multiple complaints from colleagues, leading to a finding of gross misconduct due to his perceived abuse of authority.

Accusations against Andrew included engaging in inappropriate conduct by contacting staff via social media and texts for non-work-related matters, as well as sharing photos from social gatherings, including the alleged sexualized image.

Despite admitting to certain claims during the investigation, Andrew maintained that his intentions were not improper and that he aimed to offer support and boost morale during challenging times for staff.

While acknowledging his politeness and friendliness towards court staff, Andrew conceded that some of his actions were deemed inappropriate. The investigating office determined that although his intentions were not malicious, his behavior was severely misguided.

Andrew faced criticism for a significant lapse in integrity, failing to recognize the power dynamics with his colleagues. The disciplinary panel initially proposed a reprimand considering his positive intentions, expressions of regret, and assurances of improved conduct, along with positive references.

However, the lady chief justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, and Lord Chancellor David Lammy overruled the recommendation and dismissed Andrew, citing repeated inappropriate behavior, abuse of authority, staff distress, and damage to the judiciary’s reputation.

In a statement, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office stated that Andrew’s conduct towards staff fell below judicial standards, constituting gross misconduct and a severe integrity breach. The decision for removal was deemed appropriate and proportionate given the circumstances.