Tory MP warned for referring to magistrate status on campaign leaflet

Second time MP has been reprimanded for ‘inappropriate’ conduct, legal body says

Karl McCartney claims many in Lincoln already knew he was a magistrate (Getty Images)

A Tory MP has been warned by a legal watchdog for referring to his role as a magistrate on a political leaflet.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney received a formal warning from the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO), which said he used his court credentials "with the appearance of seeking to gain advantage".

Mr McCartney denies any wrongdoing, saying “it is quite clear" many people in Lincoln are aware he is a magistrate.

It is the second time he has been spoken to for similar behaviour, the JCIO said. 

After the first incident, a panel said he was "unwilling to acknowledge the inappropriateness of his actions".

Mr McCartney, 52, was first elected to parliament at the 2010 general election when he ousted the Labour incumbent Gillian Merron.

The seat returned to Labour in 2017 before Brexiteer Mr McCartney won it back in 2019 when he defeated Karen Lee by just 3,514 votes.

He has been a magistrate since 1999, according to his website.

In its statement, the JCIO said Mr McCartney's document ran "contrary to guidance that is intended to protect judicial independence and impartiality".

The JCIO  did not publish any details about the literature on the leaflet or outline exactly when it was distributed.

It read: "The Lord Chancellor and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb DBE, on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice, have issued Mr Karl McCartney JP MP, a magistrate on the supplemental list, with a formal warning".

The warning is "for allowing his judicial status to be referred to on a political leaflet in a way that gave the appearance of seeking to gain advantage, which is contrary to guidance that is intended to protect judicial independence and impartiality."  

In a statement issued on Monday, Mr McCartney defended his actions and questioned the panel's findings.

He also claimed the complaint made against him was "politically motivated".

He added: "If the guidance is made clearer before the next general election, I will, of course, review my mentioning of being a JP in election literature".