UK female judge’s arrest shrouded in mystery

(CNS): One of the UK’s very few black female judges has been arrested and questioned by police, according to various international media reports. Constance Briscoe (55) was reportedly arrested at her home in Clapham, south-west London, at the weekend by officers from Kent and taken to a police station for an interview. She has since been released on bail but authorities are saying very little about the investigation or on what grounds she was arrested. The daughter of Jamaican  immigrants to Britain, Briscoe became famous when she revealed details of child abuse and neglect suffered at the hands of her mother in a 2006 book.

“A 55-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday in Clapham, south London, interviewed by officers and bailed pending further inquiries,” a police spokesperson said, while the Office for Judicial Complaints in the UK confirmed she had been suspended.

"The Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor have suspended Constance Briscoe from the judiciary pending the outcome of the police investigation into the allegations against her. It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst the investigation is active," the office statement said.

One of the most well-known members of the legal profession because of the book and her appearance on the leading BBC television programme "Question Time", Briscoe’s profile grew with the publication of "Ugly", in which she detailed a traumatic childhood. Her mother took legal action against her daughter but a jury found in favour of the judge.

Briscoe, a mother of two, was called to the Bar in 1983 and is now a part-time judge. She has made no comment so far regarding the arrest and suspension.