A leading barrister is said to have sent a text message saying he would ‘sh*g’ the boss of Rape Crisis Scotland ‘just to have something over her’.
Complaints: Mr McConnachie
Brian McConnachie QC, an ex-High Court Prosecutor from Scotland, was found guilty of “unsatisfactory” conduct. Also, McConnachie QC was accused of making an obscene comment about a client.
Sanctions have yet to be decided but under the rules of the Faculty of Advocates he could face a fine of up to £3,000.
The investigating body’s disciplinary committee found that there wasn’t enough evidence to show more severe ‘professional’ misconduct.
McConnachie, who is 63 years old, has been accused of making the offensive sexual comment regarding Sandy Brindley (chief executive, Rape Crisis Scotland) on October 27, 2020.
The charity’s spokesperson said that they were shocked by the misogynistic and sexist behavior directed at their chief executive. It is unacceptable for faculty members to talk about our staff in this demeaning and sexist way.
The disciplinary committee found Mr McConnachie guilty of ‘unsatisfactory professional conduct’ (L) Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland (R) Brian McConnachie
First, complaints were sent to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. This independent body handles legal disputes between lawyers and the public.
The Daily Record reported that it decided to refer six of them to the Faculty.
The disciplinary committee also found Mr McConnachie guilty of ‘unsatisfactory professional conduct’ due to allegedly calling a client a ‘lying c***’.
According to it, this unacceptable conduct falls below the standard for’reputable advocates’.
According to a Faculty spokesperson, “As this process continues, it wouldn’t be appropriate for.” [the]Professors are welcome to speak on the matter.
McConnachie did not respond to my request for comment, but he said ‘Cheerio’ when I approached him at home in Burrelton, Perthshire.
Last night Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: ‘These vile comments would be totally unacceptable coming from anyone – that they came from a senior QC defies belief.’
Liam McArthur, Lib Dem justice spokesperson said that these were appallingly disparaging comments from a senior attorney.
McConnachie was involved in many of Scotland’s most notable cases. He was 16, when he was convicted of the abduction, rape, and murder of Alesha MacPhail, six years old, in 2018.
He was the eighth highest legal aid earner in 2020-21 with earnings of £147,000, down from £333,000 in 2019-2020.
According to the Faculty website, McConnachie has been described as “one of Scotland’s most busy Queen’s Counsel”.
Following a long and successful career as junior counsel, he was appointed an Advocate depute to the Crown Office in 2002.
He was there from 2009 to 2009.
He has been instructed in various serious and regulatory crimes since he returned to private practice.