‘Ignorance, not animus:’ Judge asks to keep job after ‘knees together’ comment
CALGARY — Lawyers for a Calgary judge who asked a sex assault complainant why she couldn’t keep her “knees together” say his behaviour was based on “ignorance” and removing him from the bench should be a last resort.
Federal Court Justice Robin Camp’s legal team issued a response Friday to a November report from the Canadian Judicial Council which recommended that he should lose his job.
“Removal is not necessary to preserve public confidence in this case. Justice Camp’s misconduct was the product of ignorance not animus. He has worked hard to correct his knowledge deficit,” said the 25-page document signed by Camp’s lawyers.
“Justice Camp made errors in his judicial role. But he is apologetic and committed to education and improvement. The principles of judicial independence, rehabilitation, public confidence, and proportionality are all engaged here.”