Judge offends police chiefs with bawdy speech

A High Court judge has caused outrage while giving a speech to top police officers.

The Hon Mrs Justice Rafferty, tipped as a future Lord Chief Justice, littered her 20-minute address at the Guildhall with sexual innuendo and swear words and mimicked local accents of the Midlands and Merseyside.

The mother of three was speaking to 400 guests at the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) annual dinner last Thursday. Several walked out in disgust.

Others hissed or squirmed at the comments made by the 54-year-old.

Using courtroom anecdotes, she referred to oral sex, described someone as "limpwristed", made a joke about a "farting" Jack Russell dog and used the F-word at least twice. Members of the audience also said she made "inappropriate and offensive comments" concerning a child abuse case.

The evening was attended by Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, who has been noted for his strong line on political correctness, along with his wife Felicity.

According to guests they were "outraged" by the tone of the judge's speech.

One chief officer said: "The judge certainly grabbed people's attention. I think she completely misread the audience." But another said: "People should consider the context in which she used certain language. Anne would not intentionally offend people.

"Political correctness has gone too far and chief constables need to lighten up."

An ACPO spokesman said: "We are aware that her speech caused a mixed reaction but the content will have to be a matter for her."