Dyson Heydon, a judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), has resigned following an inquiry by the High Court of Australia that found that he had sexually harassed six staff members during his time on the bench.
According to The Straits Times, the 77-year-old Heydon, who was first appointed to the SICC in January 2015, had been on leave since April 15 last year. He served on Australia’s highest court from 2003 to 2013.
“Mr Heydon has informed us that an independent inquiry to look into allegations made against him has completed its investigations and the findings have been submitted to the High Court of Australia,” a spokesman for Singapore's Supreme Court said. “He resigned from the SICC in view of the recent developments and to enable him to deal with the outcome of the inquiry.”
In a statement, High Court of Australia Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said the findings were of "extreme concern" to all the current members of the bench and the court's staff. "We’re ashamed that this could have happened," she added.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Heydon’s lawyers, Sydney-based firm Speed & Stracey, saying that their client denied "emphatically any allegation of sexual harassment or any offence" but had apologised for any offence caused.
Meanwhile, Reuters added that the High Court had accepted six recommendations made by the inquiry, but did not mention taking any action against the former judge.
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