Judge fired for watching porn in chambers LOSES unfair dismissal claim

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By Thomas Connelly on

Warren Grant had argued his behaviour stemmed from a mental illness he was suffering due to marriage problems

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A former judge who was fired for watching pornography on court computers has lost his claim for unfair dismissal.

Last March, Warren Grant was removed from the bench, along with two other judges, for viewing “pornographic material on judicial IT equipment”. According to reports at the time, the immigration specialist accessed websites including Pleasure Zone, Spicy Tranny and Retro Porn Hub.

The 61-year-old Cambridge-educated former solicitor had claimed his sacking by the Ministry of Justice was unlawful. Citing the Disability Discrimination Act, the experienced judge argued that his behaviour was the result of a mental illness brought on by problems within his marriage. Earlier reports also cited depression.

According to Metro, Grant — who sat at the first tier immigration tribunal based at Taylor House in London — has now lost his claim for unfair dismissal. During a week long hearing at London’s Central Employment Tribunal, the respondents argued that Grant had broken strict judicial guidelines when he accessed explicit websites using the court IT system.

At the time of Grant’s sacking, and according to the Judicial Conduct Office, both the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice concluded “this was an inexcusable misuse” of his judicial IT account and “wholly unacceptable conduct for a judicial office holder”.

Today’s report states that Grant will appeal the decision. The Judicial Office did not respond to Legal Cheek’s request for comment.