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Ian Tomlinson pathologist Dr Freddy Patel struck off | |
(40 minutes later) | |
The pathologist who conducted the first post-mortem tests on a man who died in 2009's G20 protests in London has been struck off the medical register. | The pathologist who conducted the first post-mortem tests on a man who died in 2009's G20 protests in London has been struck off the medical register. |
Dr Freddy Patel wrongly said Ian Tomlinson died from heart problems. | Dr Freddy Patel wrongly said Ian Tomlinson died from heart problems. |
A medical tribunal earlier concluded he acted with "deficient professional performance" over his examination. | A medical tribunal earlier concluded he acted with "deficient professional performance" over his examination. |
PC Simon Harwood, who had pushed Mr Tomlinson to the ground but was cleared of manslaughter, is facing Met Police disciplinary proceedings in September. | PC Simon Harwood, who had pushed Mr Tomlinson to the ground but was cleared of manslaughter, is facing Met Police disciplinary proceedings in September. |
Dr Patel's conclusion that the newspaper seller died of a cardiac arrest was questioned when a recording emerged showing him being pushed and struck with a baton by PC Harwood. | Dr Patel's conclusion that the newspaper seller died of a cardiac arrest was questioned when a recording emerged showing him being pushed and struck with a baton by PC Harwood. |
Further medical reports suggested he had actually died from an injury to his liver that caused internal bleeding and then cardiac arrest. | Further medical reports suggested he had actually died from an injury to his liver that caused internal bleeding and then cardiac arrest. |
Earlier this week, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service said Dr Patel's work was "deficient" and ruled that he is not fit to practise. | Earlier this week, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service said Dr Patel's work was "deficient" and ruled that he is not fit to practise. |
In total, 68 failings were identified by the service in Dr Patel's work on the case of Mr Tomlinson. | In total, 68 failings were identified by the service in Dr Patel's work on the case of Mr Tomlinson. |
Reacting to the ruling earlier in the week, Mr Tomlinson's widow, Julia, said Dr Patel's "incompetence" had given the family "an uphill battle for justice from the start". | Reacting to the ruling earlier in the week, Mr Tomlinson's widow, Julia, said Dr Patel's "incompetence" had given the family "an uphill battle for justice from the start". |
An inquest jury found that Mr Tomlinson had been unlawfully killed but PC Harwood was cleared of killing him at a subsequent crown court trial. | An inquest jury found that Mr Tomlinson had been unlawfully killed but PC Harwood was cleared of killing him at a subsequent crown court trial. |
Dr Patel, who qualified at the University of Zambia in 1974 and has practised as a pathologist for 35 years, did not attend the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), sitting in Manchester on Thursday. | |
He was excused attendance to look after his sick wife but listened in on the hearing by conference call from London. | |
The Rev Robert Lloyd-Richards, who chairs the MPTS fitness to practise panel, said Dr Patel had an "unwarranted confidence" in his ability, "a deep-seated attitudinal problem" and also "lacked insight". | |
The General Medical Council said it welcomed the decision. | |
Niall Dickson, its chief executive, said: "This means he is no longer able to practise as a doctor in the UK. | |
"We asked for him to be removed from the register as the best way of protecting the public because his conduct fell far below the standards we expect of a doctor." | |
Last year, Dr Patel was given a four-month ban for dishonesty and omitting key findings after examining the body of a murder victim who he said had died from natural causes. | Last year, Dr Patel was given a four-month ban for dishonesty and omitting key findings after examining the body of a murder victim who he said had died from natural causes. |
He also served a three-month suspension for failings in other cases and had been removed from the official register of approved forensic pathologists. | He also served a three-month suspension for failings in other cases and had been removed from the official register of approved forensic pathologists. |
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard has said that PC Harwood's gross misconduct hearing - which is expected to last up to four weeks - will be held in front of a panel of three people, including a senior officer and a lay person. | Meanwhile, Scotland Yard has said that PC Harwood's gross misconduct hearing - which is expected to last up to four weeks - will be held in front of a panel of three people, including a senior officer and a lay person. |
It comes after the Independent Police Complaints Commission ordered that PC Harwood should face the internal hearing in public. | It comes after the Independent Police Complaints Commission ordered that PC Harwood should face the internal hearing in public. |