Former barrister who headed the Criminal Bar Association is accused of sexually harassing four young women, reports claim

The former chairman of the Criminal Bar Association is reportedly accused of sexually harassing four young women.

Navjot “Jo” Sidhu, who had previously led a strike by thousands of lawyers during a dispute with the Tory government over the level of legal aid, is said to have behaved inappropriately towards the plaintiffs – all of whom are said to be young lawyers.

The chief counsel, who was once in the running to become chief prosecutor and has vehemently denied the allegations, is now reportedly facing a board investigation into misconduct, the Times reported.

This could mean that Sidhu could face sanctions from the regulator if the allegations are proven in court.

The 58-year-old, who had been practicing law since 1993, surrendered his license to practice law earlier this year. No reason was given, but reports of his suspension were dismissed by the governing body.

The top lawyer, who was formerly chairman of the Criminal Barristers Association, strongly denies the allegations. Pictured: Sidhu speaking in Parliament House

It is alleged that the allegations against Sidhu were first raised on the Law Society's anti-harassment and bullying hotline, Talk to Spot, more than two years ago.

As the Times reported, representatives of the body that represents lawyers in England and Wales then referred them to the Bar Standards Board, which regulates the profession.

He is represented by specialist media and litigation law firm Brett Wilson LLP, but they told MailOnline that neither they nor Mr Sidhu would comment on the allegations.

In July, it was announced that his name had been removed from the BSB's list of practising lawyers and his name was also removed from the website of his firm, No5.

No. 5 claimed that he had ‘surrendered his licence to practice law and was no longer practising law’.

Reports that he had been suspended from the Bar Association were denied.

The Law Gazette was told: “Mr Sidhu has not been suspended from practising but is not currently a registered solicitor and does not hold a licence to practise. He does not appear on the Register of Solicitors.”

Sidhu was struck off the roll of practising barristers earlier this year. Pictured: Sidhu outside the Old Bailey during the barristers' strikes in June 2022

Originally from Southall, west London, Sidhu studied PPE at Oxford before completing a legal retraining qualification and practising as a criminal defence lawyer.

It is believed that he had previously applied for the post of Director of Public Prosecutions and had applied for the post before it was awarded to Max Hill KC.

As chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, he led a strike by thousands of lawyers two years ago during a bitter dispute with the Conservative government over the level of legal aid.

The strike brought the judicial system to a standstill and further increased the already enormous backlog of cases.

MailOnline has contacted the Criminal Bar Association, the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service and No5 Barristers Chambers for comment.