Magistrate issued formal warning over ‘inappropriate’ posts

Mr Morris Suckall JP, who has been a magistrate for 13 years, made three posts relating to politically and socially sensitive issues in 2017. 

He admitted to making all three but said they were intended for a private audience, describing them as “reactions to events and political controversies”. 

Following an investigation, the North-East Region Conduct Advisory Committee found that Mr Suckall’s posts were “deliberate, publicly accessible, and demonstrated ill will toward a political figure and bias against a minority group”.

The posts remained online until they were flagged with the committee in 2024.

The committee argued Mr Suckall had failed to exercise circumspection (caution), showed limited insight, and failed to recognise the reputational risk posed by his conduct. 

This is due to magistrates being expected to avoid posting, liking, sharing, or commenting on social media that could undermine public confidence or bring the judiciary into disrepute.

Mr Suckall, who has had no other disciplinary findings against him in his career, acknowledged that one post was “unwise” but disagreed that he had “failed to act with circumspection”.

The nominated committee member recommended that Mr Suckall be reprimanded, the most serious sanction before removal from office.

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor, from the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office, agreed to give him a formal warning.

They said that, while Mr Suckall’s conduct was “highly improper”, the posts were historic and there was no evidence of a sustained pattern of behaviour. 

A spokesperson said: “Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Mr Morris Suckall JP with a formal warning for misconduct.”