Aberdeen Sheriff Jack Brown accused of sexual harassment to be removed from office

An Aberdeen sheriff is to be removed from office after he was ruled unfit for judicial office by a tribunal following allegations of sexual harassment.

An independent tribunal report, published in April, found that Sheriff Jack Brown’s misbehaviour rendered him unfit for judicial office after his behaviour toward two women amounted to “serious improper conduct”.

It also found he acted inappropriate to a lawyer in 2018 and another woman in 2001 or 2002.

Mr Brown has been suspended since 2018 and has been on full pay.

The First Minister laid an order before the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday that will mean Sheriff Brown, who sits in the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands, is removed from office on June 7.

The tribunal said that Mr Brown’s behaviour towards two women amounted to “serious improper conduct”.

It also found that he had acted inappropriately towards a lawyer, known as D, in 2018 and another woman in 2001 or 2002.

An earlier tribunal had concluded that while Mr Brown had acted inappropriately, he was not unfit to hold judicial office.

A petition for judicial review was lodged and on February 8 2022, the tribunal’s decision was quashed by the Court of Session on the basis that the tribunal had proceeded in ignorance of the availability of other evidence from other witnesses.

A fresh tribunal was convened and on March 28 2024, it reported that the judicial office holder’s misbehaviour renders him unfit for judicial office.

In the fresh tribunal, evidence was heard from D, and two other women known as B and C.

The tribunal established that Mr Brown had touched D on the cheek and made an inappropriate remark to her.

He also hugged her inappropriately causing his face to linger on her shoulder.

The tribunal found that Mr Brown kissed C on the lips in late 2001 or early 2002, and squeezed her buttocks in 2004.

However, the tribunal said it was not satisfied that an allegation that Mr Brown put his hand inside B’s clothing at a party in 1999 and touched her breast had been established.

The findings raised “manifest and serious concerns as to the character and integrity” of Mr Brown, the tribunal said.

The chair of the tribunal Lord Malcolm said the findings were “wholly contrary to the standards of conduct and probity expected of anyone holding judicial office”.

Lord Malcolm added that the tribunal accepted that the passage of time since the assaults on C, and the fact that Mr Brown was not yet a sheriff, were “relevant factors to be taken into account.”

He added: “However he was a mature adult at the time.

“The conduct reflects extremely badly on his character and trustworthiness, and if known of would surely have been an impediment to appointment.”

Lord Malcolm concluded: “In our unanimous view (Mr Brown’s) misbehaviour renders him unfit for judicial office and we report accordingly.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “Given the nature and gravity of the tribunal’s findings, there are compelling reasons to remove Sheriff Brown. The tribunal has reported serious concerns as to his character and integrity, contrary to the standards of conduct and probity expected of anyone holding judicial office.”