Advocate General cleared of professional misconduct

The Advocate General for Scotland Richard Keen QC has been cleared of professional misconduct following his conviction for a firearms offence.

Lord Keen faced a Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service hearing as a result of an offence committed in 2017. He had been fined £1,000 after admitting failing to secure a shotgun stored in his home.

Police who investigated a break-in at his home in 2016 found a shotgun in a basement out of its secure cabinet. Lord Keen had taken the weapon out to clean it, but forgot to return it.

A panel, led by retired judge Michael Topolski QC, found the allegation of professional misconduct not proven after almost two hours of deliberation.

The tribunal found Lord Keen being convicted of a non-minor offence was a breach of standards, but the breach did not affect his "honesty, integrity and independence" and found there was no misconduct.

It ruled: "We find that his conduct lacks any morally culpable quality and was completely unintentional."

Judge Topolski said the offence was "not as resoundingly serious as to attract the characterisation of professional misconduct. Therefore we acquiesce to the application to dismiss the charge".

After the hearing, Lord Keen said he was "disappointed" the complaint had been brought and taken so long to be heard, but added: "I'm obviously relieved that the complaint has been rejected and dismissed."