Leeds barrister suspended from UKIP after work harassment claims

LEEDS barrister Stephen Howd has been suspended by UKIP after allegations of harassment at work were made against him.

The UKIP prospective parliamentary candidate for Scunthorpe was suspended by the party after UKIP officials heard of the compaint concerning the barrister from Hook, East Yorkshire.

Mr Howd said he contested the claims. He said: “Allegations of harassment have been made against me. The allegations are contested.

“They are now the subject of tribunal proceedings and as such the matter is sub judice and it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment.”

The Bar Standards Board, which regulates barristers, said misconduct charges had been served against him.

A spokesperson for the BSB said: “We can confirm a complaint has been received about Mr Howd and that charges have been served in relation to this. We cannot comment further at this point.”

UKIP said an investigation was under way.

A party spokesman said: “UKIP has suspended Stephen Howd whilst an investigation takes place into an alleged incident at his workplace.”

Mr Howd has worked at Zenith Chambers in Leeds and was previously the Conservative Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Cleethorpes in the 2001 general election.

He attended Westminster School and Oxford University before becoming a barrister.