Barrister in Hamas delisting case faces second complaint over antisemitic posts

A second formal complaint has been filed against barrister Franck Magennis, accusing him of professional misconduct over a string of inflammatory social media posts.

Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) submitted the new dossier to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) this week, citing what it called “an extremely serious case of professional misconduct”.

Magennis is among the lawyers connected to the legal challenge seeking to remove Hamas from the UK’s list of proscribed terrorist groups. The new complaint adds to an earlier one already under review by the regulator.

Among the posts cited by CAA is a call to: “Keep hammering anyone who still identifies as a Zionist,” alongside the claim: “Zionism is collapsing… their apartheid state is a pariah… Escalate!!”

In another message, he wrote: “Zionists out there: read the room: You’re pariahs now. Time to shut those racist mouths of yours.”

Addressing the Chief Rabbi, Magennis said: ‘Sir Ephraim Mirvis shut your racist, Zionist mouth challenge… You’re a pariah. Resign.”

He also targeted Lord Walney, the government’s independent adviser on political violence, calling him a “Zionist wretch” and adding: “The Palestinian blood will never wash off your hands.”

Other messages show him urging continued “escalation” even after the government banned Palestine Action earlier this month. “Direct action groups, copycat direct-action groups, need to spring up everywhere,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We have told the Bar Standards Board that we consider this to be an extremely serious case of professional misconduct. Mr Magennis must be suspended from practising, pending further investigation and disciplinary action.”

A spokesperson from the Bar Standards Board said in a statement to Jewish News: “The BSB does not comment as to whether or not it has received any information about potential misconduct by a barrister, regardless of how any information comes to our attention. Such matters are dealt with in accordance with the procedures set out in detail on our website.

“These procedures are usually conducted confidentially unless they result in a listing for a Disciplinary Tribunal hearing. Such listings are published on the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service website and hearings are held in public.”

Magennis has not publicly responded. If the complaint is upheld, it could lead to suspension or disbarment.