Advocates appear to be split 50/50 over whether Donald Findlay QC should face disciplinary action by the Faculty of Advocates for comments he made to a journalist and during an after-dinner speaking appointment which are judged to have been sectarian. However, there is a vocal group of advocates that feel that Findlay has no case to answer.
The QC is set to face the Faculty’s disciplinary body for comments he made to a journalist for publication in a book, and also during an after-dinner speaking event in Larne, Northern Ireland last year.
Findlay was found guilty of bringing the Faculty into disrepute by making the comments, however he refused to accept the verdict and has defended himself robustly against the charges.
As The Firm went to press an interactive online poll that has been running on The Firm’s website showed a clear 50/50 split as to whether he should face a disciplinary hearing at the Faculty, which, at the extreme, could see him fined and suspended for a period of time.
Speaking of the issue one advocate said: “This is ridiculous and I am considering writing to the Faculty to let them know that. Donald’s professional life and his after-dinner speaking life are and should be seen as separate areas of his life. As he has admitted, he makes things up and he embellishes stories for the benefit of his audience. Why his joke about the Pope should have any reflection on the Faculty is beyond me. This is a waste of time and besides it is highly unlikely they would suspend him.”
A colleague of Findlay at the Faculty added: “This has been blown out of all proportion by the media, but Donald Findlay always makes good stuff for the press. If you look at this issue Donald has actually acted with real respect and dignity over this. He stood down from Faculty Services as soon as the row over the Pope joke began. The Faculty’s disciplinary body, whoever that mysterious group are, should see this for what it is, mere professional jealousy and mindedness.”