Legal Bill for Removing Aberdeen Judge Accused of Misconduct Reaches £541,000

Aberdeen: Taxpayers are feeling the pinch after a judge’s removal cost a whopping £541,000. It took five long years to get Sheriff Jack Brown out of office. He was accused of inappropriate behavior, which led to his suspension back in December 2018.

Brown was on full pay, earning £157,705 a year, while facing two tribunals. The Crown Office decided in 2019 that there wasn’t enough evidence for a criminal case. Finally, in April last year, an independent tribunal found him unfit for the role.

A recent Freedom of Information request revealed the staggering cost to the public. Liam McArthur, a Scottish Lib Dems justice spokesman, expressed concern over the expenses but emphasized the importance of maintaining justice integrity.

The second tribunal’s report detailed troubling incidents from 2001 and 2004, including unwanted physical contact. In 2018, he also made an inappropriate remark to another woman. The tribunal raised serious concerns about Brown’s character and integrity.

They concluded that the public expects judges to uphold high personal standards. Given the findings, they couldn’t guarantee that he would have the confidence of those appearing before him.

The report warned that keeping him in office could damage public trust in the justice system. An earlier tribunal had found him inappropriate but not unfit, but that decision was overturned in 2022 due to overlooked evidence.

Under Scottish law, the First Minister can remove a judge deemed unfit. Last June, John Swinney laid an order before Parliament to officially remove Brown from his position.