Barrister Michael Griffiths was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 15 June following four charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Mr Griffiths acted in a manner that was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or the profession or could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity.
Mr Griffiths, who was the Head of the Legal Services Department for Gloucestershire Police, made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in the presence of junior female colleagues at a work-related conference. Mr Griffiths also exchanged an excessive amount of WhatsApp messages some of which were inappropriate and made disclosures of an intimate and sexual nature with a junior female colleague.
Spokesperson, The Bar Standards Board said:
“We are committed to ensuring that such behaviour is not tolerated at the Bar and take all reports of such conduct seriously. Mr Griffiths actions were a clear example of this type of conduct and incompatible with membership of the Bar, and this is reflected in the decision of the tribunal to disbar Mr Griffiths.”
The tribunal’s findings remain subject to appeal.
About Barrister Michael Griffiths
Michael Griffiths was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Middle Temple in May 1993.
