21/08/2012

Tomlinson Pathologist Found 'Unfit To Practice'

The pathologist who conducted the first post-mortem examination on Ian Tomlinson has been ruled unfit to practice, by a tribunal today.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service said Dr Freddy Patel’s ruling that Mr Tomlinson died of coronary artery disease was wrong. They will now decide what action to take against Dr Patel.

Ian Tomlinson was pushed to the ground as he walked away from a police line in during a day of G20 protests. He collapsed a short time later and died.

An inquest jury found that Mr Tomlinson had been unlawfully killed but when PC Simon Harwood, who had pushed Tomlinson, stood trial for his manslaughter, he was found not guilty.

Dr Patel's conclusion that Mr Tomlinson 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.

The tribunal found Dr Patel, who is currently suspended, had "brought the profession into disrepute" and said his integrity could not be relied upon.

He also breached one of the "fundamental tenets of the profession" through his dishonesty, it said.

Panel chairman Rev Robert Lloyd-Richards said: "It is clearly in the interest of the general public that they should be able to have confidence in the coronial system and this confidence has been undermined by your failures in these cases.

"Having considered everything before it the panel has determined that your fitness to practise... is impaired by reason of misconduct and deficient professional performance in the case of Mr Tomlinson."

Last year, Dr Patel - who is currently suspended - 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 has also served a three-month suspension for failings in other cases and is no longer on the official register of approved forensic pathologists.

(H)

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