A decision notice published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said that Keith Howell also spent excessive time dealing with clients’ matters and recording billable time in excess of what was reasonable.

The SRA found that he breached client confidentiality, failed to act in clients’ best interests, and failed to behave in a way that maintains public trust in him and the profession.

As a non-solicitor, Mr Howell was made subject to a section 43 order which prevents him working for any regulated firm or entity without first obtaining SRA permission.

The SRA has increasingly been faced with disciplinary matters relating to the use of social media.

A number of fines have been issued to solicitors and people within the legal profession for breaching social media rules.

The Bar Standards Board has also issued warnings to barristers about their online presence.