Twitter: series of offensive messages
A barrister who sent out a series of anti-semitic and racist tweets has been disbarred by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.
The tweets by unregistered barrister Ian Millard in November 2014 were found to be “seriously offensive” and likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in the legal profession. He last held a practising certificate in 2007.
The tweets were about various groups of people including Jews, pro-Zionists, Muslims, black and Asian people and people whom he referred to as “chavs”.
Mr Millard also made it clear that he was a barrister on his Twitter account at the time of the offensive tweets.
One of the tweets depicted a swastika and the German words “Juden sind hier unerwunscht”, the English translation of which is “Jews are not wanted here”.
Bar Standards Board director of professional conduct Sara Jagger said: “The use of such offensive language is incompatible with the standards expected of barristers. The Tribunal rightly found that such behaviour diminishes the trust and confidence the public places in the profession and the decision to disbar Mr Millard reflects this.”
The Daily Mail quoted the barrister who made the complaint to the BSB, Jonathan Goldberg QC, as saying: “A man who spews out such Nazi propaganda is not fit to call himself a barrister, so I feel satisfied. As a fine judge said recently; if we can’t all learn to get along there is no hope for any of us.”
It has been reported that in his defence, Mr Millard said he had not directly insulted anyone by addressing them on Twitter and that the account was not related to being a barrister. He also claimed to have been persecuted.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it has reported the ex-barrister to the police over incitement to racial and religious hatred.
A look at this Twitter feed today showed that he continues to send out messages in the same vein, with a particular anti-immigrant focus. One, illustrated with a Nazi swastika and eagle, says: “Whatever happens to us in the course of life, we are back and pressing forward to ultimate victory.”
