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Totnes cancer conference venue withdrawn | Totnes cancer conference venue withdrawn |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A conference featuring a former doctor who has claimed cancer can be treated using baking soda has been barred from using a council's meeting hall. | |
The event, organised by the Arcturus Clinic, was scheduled to take place this weekend in Totnes. | |
Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini, who says he was struck off for using sodium bicarbonate in place of chemotherapy, was due to attend. | Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini, who says he was struck off for using sodium bicarbonate in place of chemotherapy, was due to attend. |
Totnes Town Council withdrew permission for the Civic Hall to be used. | |
Trading standards is investigating the Totnes-based clinic and the conference after concerns raised by local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston. | Trading standards is investigating the Totnes-based clinic and the conference after concerns raised by local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston. |
Private venue | |
Totnes mayor Judy Westacott said all councillors had been e-mailed for their views after trading standards officers had asked for the booking to be cancelled. | Totnes mayor Judy Westacott said all councillors had been e-mailed for their views after trading standards officers had asked for the booking to be cancelled. |
The majority of councillors wanted the Saturday conference cancelled and the organisers were offered their money back. | The majority of councillors wanted the Saturday conference cancelled and the organisers were offered their money back. |
She said: "It's regrettable to cancel any booking, but in the circumstances we took the advice of the trading standards." | She said: "It's regrettable to cancel any booking, but in the circumstances we took the advice of the trading standards." |
Arcturus is run by Dr Stephen Hopwood, a former GP who now describes himself as a "holistic physician". | |
He said he was disappointed at the town council's decision. | |
He said: "Trading standards said I was in possible breach of regulations and I was asked to change a couple of things on my website. | |
"I was given seven days and I did it in seven hours, but as far as I know nobody's bothered to check it." | |
Dr Hopwood said if Dr Simoncini's "unsubstantiated" claims were the main stumbling block, he would ask him to withdraw and not attend the conference. | |
He added: "He's just one of 10 speakers, so I'm fine with that, but I haven't been given that opportunity." | |
If this was enough to satisfy trading standards, another private venue was available to host the conference, he added. | |
A Devon County Council spokesperson said trading standards had no further comment to make. | |
It is the body which enforces the Cancer Act and the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, to protect vulnerable people from false and misleading advertising. |