Demand Pro-Israel Lawyer Is Fired For Framing SPSC For Antisemitism

On the 7^th Sept 2019, the Daily Recorder reported that Matthew Berlow colluded with Ed Sutherland to vandalise Berlow’s own house and blame it on the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC).

Both Berlow and Sutherland are linked to the Friends of Israel.

Ed Sutherland created a fake account under the name of Stevie Harrison, impersonating to be a member of SPSC.

Berlow then fuelled the story by playing the victim and commenting on the post: “Idiocy. Typical SPSC behaviour criminal.” He later admitted to the Law Society Scotland (LSS) that he knew the scenario was fake.

LSS instructed the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) to investigate and its Reporter made the following findings:

• Its Reporter concluded that the fake post was intended to make readers believe a criminal act of vandalism was committed by a member of SPSC on a Jewish houshold.
• Both Berlow & his acquaintance are clear supporters of Israel and colluded in a plot.
• Purpose of the comment was to smear SPSC for an Antisemitic attack despite Berlow being aware that it was fake.

The preliminary ruling found Berlow failed to maintain the standards of behaviour expected for a solicitor. Despite this, the SLCC Reporter recommended only a £500 fine – yet lawyers have lost their license to practise law for much smaller offences.

This behaviour clearly shows Professional Misconduct, and this is not the first time Berlow has specifically targeted SPSC. All of this shows that Berlow had malicious & political motivations which he prioritised over his profession.

It is clear that Berlow breached the following standards of LSS’ Code of Conduct & Service:

• Clause 1: Trust and Personal Integrity
• Clause 9: Independence – not being influenced by inappropriate or illegal considerations

Berlow should face a firmer reprimand than a £500 fine, if not, being struck off from practising law altogether.

A tribunal set by SLCC will now decide whether to uphold this punishment or to decide a more appropriate action.

*ACT NOW*

1. TWEET or WRITE to the Law Society of Scotland and demand Berlow to be struck off from practicing law.

2. WRITE to your MP and MSP and ask what their opinion is on the incident

3. SIGN & SHARE this PETITION.