Leo Benedict Michael Foster

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Mr Foster, a senior solicitor and head of the London Debt and Equity Markets team at BNP Paribas, admitted using inappropriate, unprofessional and offensive nicknames for colleagues (including 'Hu She' for an East Asian colleague, 'Mad Paul', 'Pol Pot', 'The idiot', 'Jabba the Hutt' and 'The Twittering Fool') and using offensive/inappropriate language in workplace emails between December 2020 and November 2021. The Tribunal found breaches of Principles 2, 5 and 6, but no dishonesty was found (Mr Foster admitted lack of integrity). The Tribunal imposed a fine of £15,000 (Indicative Fine Band Level 3) and ordered costs of £16,000, reduced from the £23,768.40 claimed.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct over a period of 8 months
• Experienced solicitor in a position of authority
• Conduct not spontaneous - gave thought to nicknames and language used
• Knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligation to protect reputation of profession

Mitigating factors:

• Demonstrated insight and remorse
• Full and frank admissions
• Full cooperation with the Bank's internal investigation and Tribunal proceedings
• Previously unblemished record over long career
• Positive testimonials as to trustworthiness and integrity
• Conduct occurred during stressful Covid period with difficult workplace changes
• Resigned with substantial adverse financial consequences
• Suffered public opprobrium affecting health, family and reputation