Judge calls Hackney chief executive's statement 'deeply disturbing'

A judge has described the witness statement of Hackney Council chief executive Dawn Carter-McDonald as 'deeply disturbing' and declined to remove her name from an injunction. The decision came during a hearing at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, concerning a contempt of court application brought by leaseholder Thomas Leveritt.

Dispute over flat repairs

The case stems from an order made on 14 March 2025, which required Hackney Council to complete repairs to Mr Leveritt’s flat on Penshurst Road by 31 May 2025. The order named Ms Carter-McDonald as the individual who could face contempt proceedings if the deadline was not met. The council sought an extension from the High Court the day before the deadline, but this was refused. The council stated in June 2025 that some work was completed on 5 and 9 June, with the remainder due by 30 June, and later claimed all works were finished by the end of that month. Mr Leveritt subsequently filed a contempt application in August, alleging the repairs remained unfinished, a claim the council disputes.

During a previous hearing in October 2025, District Judge Redpath-Stevens deferred a ruling on whether Ms Carter-McDonald was in contempt.

Judge's concerns over council conduct

At the latest hearing, His Honour Judge Roberts stated he was not minded to grant a request from Ms Carter-McDonald’s legal counsel to remove her name from the injunction. The judge described the handling of the case by Ms Carter-McDonald and her counsel as 'troubling'. He specifically found her witness statement 'deeply disturbing' and dismissed her explanation that the council is a 'very big organisation' as 'wholly irrelevant'.

Judge Roberts took particular issue with Ms Carter-McDonald’s assertion that she lacked knowledge of the required works. He stated this was 'a very, very bad point' and would be considered an aggravating factor if the case proceeded to sentencing, adding, 'She should know all of this'.

No finding of contempt has yet been made. Contempt of court can carry penalties including fines, asset confiscation, or up to two years' imprisonment, though custodial sentences are rare for public bodies.

Ongoing settlement talks

The judge characterised the council’s conduct throughout the proceedings as 'a pattern' and noted a lack of apology from Ms Carter-McDonald. He did, however, acknowledge the possibility of the parties reaching an agreement. The council had previously offered an apology to Mr Leveritt in June 2025, with Steve Waddington, then Hackney’s strategic director of housing services, stating at the time: 'We apologise wholeheartedly to the resident for the distress and inconvenience this will have caused.'

Currently, both sides are reportedly engaged in negotiations to settle the entire matter, encompassing both the contempt application and the underlying disrepair claim. Ms Carter-McDonald declined to comment, and Hackney Council has been approached for its response.