A controversial but celebrated judge is under suspension, nine months after being cleared of misconduct allegations for advocating on behalf of a black Canadian organization he founded.

Justice Donald McLeod, 51, has not presided in his Ontario Court of Justice courtroom for the last seven weeks said Jill Arthur, communications officer for the Ontario Court of Justice and a former Crown attorney.

“The Court cannot comment further,” she added.

McLeod’s lawyer, Frank Addario, confirmed his client is not sitting.

“The situation is frustrating but we are being patient,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

“When the time comes, we will speak loud and clear about what took place. But right now, everyone who should be explaining the situation is legally prohibited from doing so,” stated Addario, a prominent Toronto lawyer and former president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.