One of Britain’s leading judges has been formally reprimanded for making politically charged remarks during a court hearing.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who sits on high profile cases at Westminster Magistrates Court, has received formal advice from the Lord Chief Justice on the incident.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) released a statement Friday about the disciplinary action, but detailing the comments, when they were made or at what hearing they were made.
A spokesman said: “The Lord Chief Justice, with the consent of the Lord Chancellor, has formally advised senior district judge (Chief Magistrate) Paul Goldspring for making comments at a hearing that gave the impression that he supported a contentious political cause.
“In making their decision, they took into account that in retrospect the judge had accepted that his comments could create such an impression and expressed his regret.”
Judge Goldspring was appointed to the highest position in February last year, replacing Emma Arbuthnot when she was promoted to the Family Division of the High Court.
He oversaw the sentencing hearing of two men who spoke to Chris Whitty during a pandemic lockdown, and led the harassment trial of former Labor MP Claudia Webbe.
In his role, Judge Goldspring often takes on high-profile early court hearings, including the recent one involving former Met PC Wayne Couzens and boxer David Haye.
He was also the judge who formally sent the extradition of Julian Assange from the Westminster Magistrates Court to the Home Secretary for a final decision.
When asked for more details about the sanction to Judge Goldspring, the JCIO said it could not release any more details.