‘Culture of misogyny’ warning for top lawyers
415 advocates told to root out sexism
MISOGYNY in the legal profession is ‘wholly unacceptable’ and chauvinists must not be protected by colleagues, top lawyers have been warned.
Dean of the Faculty of Advocates Roddy Dunlop, QC, yesterday sent a memo to around 415 members with a warning about claims of a ‘culture of misogyny at the Scottish Bar’.
He spoke out after it emerged defence lawyer Brian McConnachie, QC, had been accused of making inappropriate sexual comments about a high-profile anti-rape campaigner.
The faculty disclosed this week Mr McConnachie had been found guilty of ‘unsatisfactory’ conduct after calling a client a liar, while using an abusive term.
Rape Crisis Scotland – whose boss Sandy Brindley was said to be the target of Mr McConnachie’s alleged sexual slur – has raised concern about misogyny among lawyers.
In his memo, Mr Dunlop said: ‘Members of faculty may have seen in the media allegations of a “culture of misogyny” at the Scottish Bar. As the complaint that has given rise to these allegations is ongoing [regarding Mr McConnachie], there is a limit to what I can say.
‘In particular, I do not offer any comment on the particular case in issue. However, what I can say, without equivocation, is misogyny is, as with any prejudice, wholly unacceptable.’
He added: ‘I should be distressed in the extreme to find there was any such culture, or that apprehension thereof is – as has again been suggested – deterring women from entering the profession. In that regard, I would stress to all members the need to avoid any discrimination and to report any instances thereof if they arise.’
He said there is a ‘duty to report misbehaviour’ and that ‘any confirmed instances of discrimination, of any kind, will be viewed most seriously’.
Earlier this week, Rape Crisis Scotland said of Mr McConnachie’s alleged remarks: ‘This situation and the unacceptable comments directed towards our chief executive expose a culture of misogyny amongst some members of the Faculty of Advocates.’
Mr McConnachie, who faces a fine of up to £3,000, has declined to comment on the claims.
Last month, Alex Salmond’s lawyer in his sexual assault trial was found guilty of professional misconduct after he publicly named two complainants.
Gordon Jackson, QC, was caught on video disclosing the names of the women in a train conversation in 2020. It was filmed just before Mr Salmond was cleared at the High Court of sexual assault charges.
After the video’s release, Mr Jackson apologised and stepped down as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.
Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said it was ‘concerning to see Scotland’s top lawyer having to raise such serious concerns over misogyny’, adding: ‘This sort of culture cannot be allowed to fester among the legal profession.’
‘Need to avoid any discrimination’
QC ‘made vile sexual remark about Rape Crisis boss and called his own client a liar’ Yesterday’s Daily Mail