Law chiefs urged to investigate SNP QC who smeared nurse
Joanna Cherry accused of violating code of conduct
SNP faces backlash over bid to smear nurse in TV debate Tuesday’s Daily Mail
A LEGAL watchdog has been urged to investigate a senior SNP candidate accused of a botched smear on a nurse who criticised Nicola Sturgeon on TV.
Joanna Cherry, QC, was forced to apologise this week after she briefed the media with false allegations about Claire Austin.
The Scottish Daily Mail can now reveal that the Faculty of Advocates (FoA) has been sent a letter of complaint calling for an inquiry into Miss Cherry’s behaviour.
It is understood a complaint is also being sent to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.
The SNP candidate and Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman were in the BBC’s ‘spin room’ on Sunday when Miss Austin launched an impassioned attack on the First Minister over NHS pay during a 90-minute TV debate.
Within seconds of her comments, false rumours began circulating online that the charge nurse was married to a Tory councillor.
Miss Cherry briefed the media with the fake allegations.
During the debate, Miss Freeman uploaded a picture of herself and Miss Cherry with the caption: ‘Spin girls ready to always set the record straight when the Tories dodge scrutiny.’
Miss Cherry has now been reported to the FoA over concerns she breached its code of conduct, which states ‘an advocate’s personal honour, honesty and integrity’ must be ‘beyond doubt’.
One of Miss Cherry’s Edinburgh South West constituents wrote to the FoA claiming she ‘clearly breached’ this guideline. She added: ‘I am asking the Faculty to investigate Miss Cherry’s behaviour and take any appropriate action to discipline Miss Cherry.’
The constituent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was ‘appalled’ to read about Miss Cherry’s ‘shocking behaviour’.
She added: ‘The lady concerned was exercising her democratic right to express her opinion and did not deserve to be trolled and smeared in this manner.’ Miss Cherry gave up work as an advocate when she was elected to Westminster in 2015. But even non-practising advocates must not behave in a manner which could harm the FoA’s reputation.
Miss Cherry is a member of the Queen’s Counsel and has been since 2009. Appointments are made on the recommendations of the Lord Justice General to the First Minister.
After Miss Cherry’s apology, it was alleged she had been encouraged by Miss Freeman to repeat the claims about the nurse. This is denied by the SNP.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, who was sitting next to the pair during the debate, said: ‘People were horrified that someone who had been elected as an MP could spread lies with such enthusiasm, in an attempt to discredit a NHS nurse who had the temerity to challenge Nicola Sturgeon.
‘Her behaviour fell well below the standards expected by the public of a politician, and we’ll soon learn if it was below the standards expected by the Faculty of Advocates, too.’
Miss Sturgeon has insisted she has complete confidence in Miss Cherry, saying: ‘She made a mistake, an honest mistake, and apologised for that.’
Last night, the FoA said it could not comment.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘We understand that there is no investigation by the Faculty of Advocates. Joanna Cherry has already apologised for her mistake.’