A former Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton associate has been referred to the U.K.'s Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for allegedly possessing a class A drug, according to a filing by the country's legal industry regulator.

Matthew Podger, a former banking and finance associate at Cleary Gottlieb in London, has been referred to the SDT after an allegation that he was caught in possession of a class A drug in March 2018, the Solicitors Regulation Authority update said.

The filing added that he had delayed in informing the SRA that he had accepted a caution for the alleged offence.

The filing also said the allegations are subject to a hearing before the SDT "and are as yet unproven".

According to the Law Society website, there is only one U.K.-qualified solicitor named Matthew Podger, who is non-practising.

Marketing material by Cleary Gottlieb dated March 2018 listed a Matthew Podger as an associate.

Cleary Gottlieb was unable to provide a comment at the time of publication.

Podger used to be at Slaughter and May prior to moving to Cleary, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. He is listed on a 2015 deal announcement on the firm's website.

Slaughter and May declined to comment.

This is the latest major solicitor referral to the SDT. This week, the tribunal is expected to come to a decision regarding former Baker McKenzie London managing partner Gary Senior and others in relation to allegations of sexual harassment against a female junior associate.

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