Charity says fine "doesn't cut it"

Rape Crisis Scotland has slammed an £8,000 handed out to a top lawyer for misogynistic texts.

Brian McConnachie KC was previously reprimanded by the Faculty of Advocates over allegations he sent sexually explicit phone messages.

Some mentioned Sandy Brindley, the chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, in a sexual and demeaning manner.

The messages included a sexually explicit image of himself from the toilets at Livingston High Court on the day he had been working on a rape trial.

In another message McConnachie said he might have sex with Brindley, “but I would not enjoy it”.

Last month, Rape Crisis Scotland welcomed the disciplinary committee’s verdict and said it hoped the sanction would “reflect the seriousness of this behaviour”.

The Faculty of Advocates announced yesterday that McConnchie would receive the fine and a “severe written censure”.

A spokesperson for Rape Crisis Scotland said: "An £8,000 fine for a lawyer of Mr McConnachie's means is not an appropriate sanction for his behaviour.

"It's a slap on the wrist. It in no way reflects the seriousness of his behaviour.

"There is no place for misogyny at any level of the criminal justice system and where this behaviour does happen, it must be taken incredibly seriously and met with robust consequences.

"A personal apology to our chief executive simply doesn't cut it."