The multiple injuries of Sally Clark's babies were detailed to the General Medical Council yesterday as a leading paediatricians defended his reputation against accusations that his evidence had led to her wrongful conviction for double murder.Professor Sir Roy Meadow, who is charged with serious professional misconduct for giving "seriously misleading and flawed" statistical evidence at Mrs Clark's 1999 trial, told how he had concluded her babies had not died naturally.The 72-year-old former president of the Royal College of Paediatricians was speaking publicly about the case for the first time, as he answered his critics at the GMC disciplinary panel to deny serious professional misconduct.Central to the charge against him is his use of the statistic that the chances of two babies dying natural, unexplained deaths in an affluent family like the Clarks were 73m to one - a figure reached by squaring the 8,543-to-one chance of one baby dying of cot death in a family.The figure has since … [Read more...]
Rough Justice
Rough justice?The problem of expert witnesses goes beyond Roy Meadow Professor Sir Roy Meadow told the General Medical Council (GMC) yesterday that he had been “as uncomfortable” in court giving expert evidence as a lawyer would be in hospital. Some may wish he had stayed in the hospital and away from the cot death cases that jailed women like Sally Clark. Others may wonder how he could have proved such a persuasive and confident performer in the witness box. Many will feel that his words reflect the deep flaws in the way that expert witnesses are used by courts which have come to rely heavily upon them. The charge of gross professional misconduct that the GMC is considering relates only to the evidence that Roy Meadow gave in the very complex and still disturbing Sally Clark case. His statement, that the chance of Mrs Clark’s two sons dying was comparable to four different horses winning four successive Grand Nationals at odds of 80-1, was not only grossly misleading but in … [Read more...]
Society’s unhealthy obsession with abuse
Sir Roy Meadow is not single-handedly responsible for a culture that sees child abuse everywhere. by Dr Michael Fitzpatrick Retired paediatrician Roy Meadow is currently facing charges of gross professional misconduct before the General Medical Council in connection with his evidence against a number of parents wrongfully convicted of killing their children. Over the past two decades he has helped to popularise the view that children are being abused and even killed by their parents much more commonly than was previously believed. But he did not single-handedly create the obsession with abuse that led to these unjust convictions. Nor are these parents the only victims of a climate of opinion that is predisposed to believe the worst about how people behave in intimate relationships. According to Dr James Le Fanu, 'the medical advocacy of contentious theories of the mechanisms of child abuse is likely to have been responsible for a systematic miscarriage of justice on a scale without … [Read more...]
DOCTOR FLAWED – Meadow denies ‘misleading’ evidence in child murder trials
helped wrongly convict a mother of murdering her two sons, medical watchdogs were told yesterday.Two other mums Professor Sir Roy Meadow helped send to jail for killing their babies were at a General Medical Council hearing to confront him for the first time since they were freed.Sitting 10ft from him, Angela Cannings and Donna Anthony also heard Prof Meadow, 72, branded "naive" and "incompetent".Prof Meadow denies a charge of serious professional misconduct for evidence he gave at the trial of Cheshire solicitor Sally Clark.AdvertisementShe was freed on appeal two years ago after being jailed in 1999 for murdering sons Christopher and Harry.The GMC panel in London heard Prof Meadow had told Mrs Clark's trial the chance of her losing two babies naturally was one in 73 million - despite knowing of research suggesting it could be as low as one in 77.Robert Seabrook, QC, said his evidence "was flawed and misleading"and used to suggest probability of guilt.The QC went on: "He either did … [Read more...]
After six years, baby murder case expert to face disciplinary panel
Professor Roy Meadow, whose controversial evidence was significant in the jailing of three innocent mothers, may yet be struck off SIR ROY MEADOW, one of the most celebrated and controversial doctors of modern times, will finally stand trial on disciplinary charges tomorrow in a case of major importance for the medical and legal professions. Almost six years after Professor Meadow gave evidence that helped to convict Sally Clark, a Cheshire solicitor, of murdering her two sons, the paediatrician will make a rare public appearance to answer accu- sations that his testimony was erroneous and misleading. Professor Meadow faces being struck off the medical register if found guilty of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council (GMC), while legal experts and paediatric specialists say that, irrespective of the outcome, the case carries serious ramifications. In one of the most high- profile hearings in the GMC’s 146-year history, Professor Meadow will be read a list … [Read more...]
Lazaro Ruling Referred to High Court
The Council for Health care Regulatory Excellence has decided to refer the decision of the GMC's Fitness to Practise Panel in respect of Dr de San Lazaro to the High Court under Section 29 of the NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002. … [Read more...]
I Feel I Have Lost So Many Years
Eleven years ago, former nursery nurse Dawn Reed was cleared of sex abuse charges. But, she tells Cassandra Jardine, the scars remainDawn Reed has spent many of the past 12 years in hiding - all because of false allegations of sexual abuse and claims that she led a paedophile ring. The hysteria surrounding two nursery nurses in Shieldfield, Newcastle, was the great sexual abuse scandal of the Nineties. Following accusations made by a paediatrician, Dr Camille de San Lazaro, there was a witch hunt similar to those in Rochdale, Nottingham and the Orkneys. "Whenever I am reminded of it, I get flashbacks of absolute panic," says Reed. Eleven years ago, she was cleared in court of molesting children and, two years ago, she and her colleague, Chris Lillie, won a libel action clearing their names, at which they were awarded £200,000 apiece - the maximum - by the judge who wanted to make it clear that they were innocent. Dawn hoped then never to speak of it again, but the results of a … [Read more...]
Eleven years ago, former nursery nurse Dawn Reed was cleared of sex abuse charges. But, she tells Cassandra Jardine, the scars remainDawn Reed has spent many of the past 12 years in hiding - all because of false allegations of sexual abuse and claims that she led a paedophile ring. The hysteria surrounding two nursery nurses in Shieldfield, Newcastle, was the great sexual abuse scandal of the Nineties. Following accusations made by a paediatrician, Dr Camille de San Lazaro, there was a witch hunt similar to those in Rochdale, Nottingham and the Orkneys. "Whenever I am reminded of it, I get flashbacks of absolute panic," says Reed. Eleven years ago, she was cleared in court of molesting children and, two years ago, she and her colleague, Chris Lillie, won a libel action clearing their names, at which they were awarded £200,000 apiece - the maximum - by the judge who wanted to make it clear that they were innocent. Dawn hoped then never to speak of it again, but the results of a General … [Read more...]
Get docs a real watchdog
A top human-rights lawyer has called for the General Medical Council to be scrapped after it cleared a doctor who played a key role in an infamous child sex abuse scandal of any wrongdoing.Consultant paediatrician Camille de San Lazaro was involved in investigating allegations that children were sexually abused at a Newcastle nursery.She later gave evidence to the now- discredited Abuse in Early Years inquiry set up by Newcastle City Council in 1998 which wrongly claimed two nursery nurses were responsible for the abuse of youngsters.At a subsequent libel trial, which resulted in compensation payments of £200,000 being made to nurses Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie, the doctor admitted her accounts of abuse had been "overstated, exaggerated and emotive".That admission led the judge hearing the libel case, Mr Justice Eady, to conclude she was "unbalanced, obsessive and lacking in judgment".However, Dr San Lazaro, after appearing before the GMC on serious misconduct charges over her … [Read more...]
Expert cleared over abuse claims
A consultant paediatrician who exaggerated claims of child abuse has been cleared of wrongdoing by the General Medical Council (GMC). In a 2002 libel trial, Dr Camille De San Lazaro admitted overstating the accounts of abuse, compiled for a report into a Newcastle nursery. Two nursery nurses successfully sued the authors of the report for libel. The GMC ruled that, although some of her work was irresponsible, she should not be struck off. Dr Lazaro, who works for the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, had denied charges of serious professional conduct at the fitness to practice panel in Manchester. Christopher Lillie and Dawn Reed, who worked at the city's Shieldfield Nursery, were accused of sexual offences, but the charges were dropped at the direction of a judge at Newcastle Crown Court in 1994. Following the acquittals, the council commissioned the report - entitled Abuse in Early Years, to carry out a review of the nursery. When it was published, both Mr Lillie and Ms Reed … [Read more...]
Doctor admits she had ‘no evidence’ for child abuse claim
that children had been drugged by two nursery nurses falsely accused of child abuse, a disciplinary hearing heard today.The General Medical Council (GMC) heard testimony Camille De San Lazaro made during an earlier legal hearing in which she admitted making unsubstantiated allegations when helping families make compensation claims in relation to the false child sex abuse accusations.Dr Lazaro faces a charge of serious professional misconduct over her involvement in investigating child sex abuse claims at the Shieldfield nursery in Newcastle.Nursery nurses Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie were charged with sex abuse after another worker at a different nursery in the city pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting some of the children in his care. Although the pair were acquitted, Newcastle council set up an inquiry into the allegations, which published a report falsely accusing them of sexually abusing dozens of children.The nursery nurses successfully sued the council for libel and under … [Read more...]
Dr Camille De San Lazaro admits abuse claims were exaggerated
A leading expert admitted she "overstated and exaggerated" medical report accounts of sexual abuse which were later proved false in a major North-East case, a medical tribunal was told yesterday.Dr Camille De San Lazaro, a consultant paediatrician and senior lecturer at Newcastle University, appeared before the General Medical Council in Manchester to answer a charge of serious professional misconduct.The doctor, who received an OBE in 1999 for services in the care of sexually-abused children, denied a charge of serious professional misconduct at the fitness to practice hearing yesterday.Dr Lazaro could be struck off if found guilty over the charge which centres on one of the biggest cases of its kind in the region. The GMC panel was told it was following examinations carried out by Dr Lazaro on six children, that nursery nurses Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie were charged with child sex abuse.But all charges against them were dropped after a judge rejected the admission of video … [Read more...]
Dr San Lazaro appears before GMC charged with professional misconduct
A leading child abuse expert is to go before medical watchdogs today charged with professional misconduct over the diagnosis of sex abuse at a nursery.Dr Camille De San Lazaro will go before the General Medical Council’s Professional Conduct Committee in Manchester.The committee will inquire into allegations that Dr San Lazaro, a consultant paediatrician, provided a report to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board regarding allegations of sexual abuse at a nursery in Newcastle, which resulted in criminal charges being brought against two workers at that nursery.The workers were later acquitted on all charges and successfully sued Newcastle City Council for libel.During the libel trial Dr De San Lazaro gave evidence on oath and agreed that the report contained various deficiencies, inaccuracies and inconsistencies.The GMC must decide if Dr De San Lazaro’s conduct was unprofessional and whether she should be struck off from the medical register.The doctor is a consultant … [Read more...]
Demo as doctor fights for career
Demo as doctor fights for career By Dave Black, The Journal A group which campaigns for carers and teachers who have been falsely accused of child abuse will today stage a demonstration as a North-East doctor faces a hearing which could end her career.Dr Camille San Lazaro goes before the General Medical Council (GMC) for a fitness-to-practice hearing which could lead to her being struck off the medical register.The consultant paediatrician examined alleged victims for the discredited Abuse in Early Years report published by Newcastle City Council in 1998, which wrongly claimed two nursery nurses were responsible for abuse of youngsters in their care.The two nurses - Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie - won damages of £200,000 each from Newcastle City Council after High Court judge Mr Justice Eady declared them innocent of all charges and condemned the report during a six-month libel trial.Now Dr San Lazaro's own career as consultant paediatrician at Newcastle's Royal Victoria … [Read more...]
Doctor Faces GMC Panel
A doctor at the centre of a major child abuse allegations case is facing an inquiry.Dr Camille De San Lazaro has been called before the General Medical Council next week.The consultant paediatrician examined alleged victims for the discredited Abuse in Early Years report in 1998, by Newcastle Council, which wrongly claimed two nursery nurses were responsible for abuse of youngsters.Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie both won £200,000 damages from Newcastle Council after the High Court declared them innocent of all charges and condemned the report.Dr San Lazaro has continued to work as a consultant paediatrician at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and as a senior lecturer in paediatric forensic medicine at Newcastle University. Her future will be reviewed by a GMC Fitness to Practice panel next week.The GMC said: "The panel will inquire into allegations that Dr San Lazaro provided a report regarding allegations of sexual abuse at a nursery, which resulted in criminal charges being … [Read more...]
Dr San Lazaro appears before GMC
The doctor at the centre of a major child abuse allegation in the North-East is now facing a battle to save her own career.Dr Camille De San Lazaro faces a fitness to practice hearing in front of the General Medical Council (GMC) on Monday which could lead to her being struck off the medical register.The consultant paediatrician examined alleged victims for the discredited Abuse in Early Years report published by Newcastle City Council in 1998 which wrongly claimed two nursery nurses were responsible for widescale abuse of youngsters in their care at the nursery.The two nurses - Dawn Reed and Christopher Lilley - won damages of £200,000 each from Newcastle City Council after High Court judge Mr Justice Eady declared them innocent of all charges and condemned the report during a six-month libel trial.Now Dr San Lazaro's own career as consultant paediatrician at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and senior lecturer in paediatric forensic medicine at Newcastle University hangs in the … [Read more...]
‘It’s a life sentence with no reprieve’
Cassandra Jardine meets parents whose children have been taken from them and asks if Britain's closed adoption system will ever changeThe Carters' living room in south London is covered with pictures of their four children. Will and Michelle (not their real names, because family court rules prevent them being identified) yearn to live as a family again, but for the past five years they have had to content themselves with waiting and hoping. Gone for good? Parents are fighting court decisions Following a court case in 2000 where, on the evidence of Professor Sir Roy Meadow, they were held responsible for poisoning their youngest child by giving her 12-16 imipromine tablets prescribed for their eldest child's bedwetting, the two elder children were put with foster carers and the two younger ones adopted. "I wouldn't even recognise the younger ones now," says Michelle, looking at a picture taken at the "goodbye" meeting when they were only three and five. As their family was pulled apart, … [Read more...]
Professor Southall. Sentence to be referred to the High Court
The case of a doctor who accused the husband of cleared solicitor Sally Clark of killing his two sons is to be reviewed by the high court because the punishment he was given may have been too lenient, it emerged today.Professor David Southall, 56, accused Steve Clark of killing his children Christopher and Harry after he watched a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary about the case in April 2000. In August, the General Medical Council's professional conduct committee, sitting in Manchester, found the doctor guilty of serious professional misconduct. Prof Southall was told he would not be able to engage in any aspect of child protection work either in or outside the NHS for the next three years. The doctor, a consultant paediatrician, had effectively been working under this ban since 1999 after his employers at the University hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke imposed it while he was suspended, and when complaints were lodged with the GMC. However, that punishment will now be … [Read more...]
Child abuse expert rebuked – but stays on the register
One of the world's most eminent paediatricians yesterday urged his colleagues not to be cowed after he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct for accusing a father of killing his two babies on the basis of a television programme. David Southall, known internationally for his research that exposed parental child abuse, was condemned by the General Medical Council for "inappropriate and irresponsible" actions, which it said were an abuse of his position. The 56-year-old consultant paediatrician from North Staffordshire general hospital escaped being struck off the medical register, partly because so many of his peers came forward to commend his methods, but was banned for three years from carrying out all child protection work. Mothers who claim he wrongly accused them of abuse during his 30-year career pursued him as he left the Manchester hearing yesterday, shouting "not good enough". But Professor Southall could yet be struck off the register: he faces another GMC hearing … [Read more...]
Professor David Southall – Final Determination. Press release by GMC
“Professor Southall:In November 1999 Sally Clark was convicted of the murder of her two children, Christopher and Harry Clark. On or about 27 April 2000 you watched the “Dispatches” programme about the Sally Clark case that was broadcast on Channel 4 television that night. As a result of information gleaned during your watching of the programme, on the next day you contacted the Child Protection Unit of the Staffordshire Police to voice concerns about how the abuse to Christopher and Harry Clark had in fact occurred. Following this contact, on 2 June 2000 you met Detective Inspector Gardner of the Cheshire Constabulary, the senior investigating officer into the deaths of Christopher and Harry Clark, and in effect told him that, as a result of watching the programme, you considered that Stephen Clark, Sally Clark’s husband, had deliberately suffocated his son Christopher Clark at a hotel prior to his eventual death. Stephen Clark was thus implicated in the deaths of both … [Read more...]
Danger of fragile science supported by poor judgment
The news of the General Medical Council's ruling against Prof David Southall will no doubt have been greeted with grim satisfaction not just by Sally Clark's family and friends, but also by the thousands of other parents caught up in the nightmare of being wrongfully accused of injuring their children. The repercussions of the GMC's hearing will resonate for a long time, but its major significance is undoubtedly the exposure to public scrutiny of the twin pillars of flawed science and poor medical judgement that underpins the scandal of false allegations.First the science. Prof Southall believes nose bleeds to be a characteristic consequence of smothering.Thus when Stephen Clark mentioned during that television interview how his son Christopher had a nose bleed 10 days before his death, Southall jumped to the conclusion "beyond reasonable doubt" that he must be the culprit.Not surprisingly the chairman of the GMC hearing Prof Dennis McDevitt found the relevant scientific evidence to … [Read more...]
Professor accused Sally Clark’s husband after TV intervi
A senior paediatrician who claimed that the husband of the exonerated solicitor, Sally Clark, murdered their two babies will appear before the medical watchdog today. Professor David Southall is facing charges of serious professional misconduct at a hearing before the General Medical Council (GMC) in Manchester.Professor Southall contacted the police after he saw Steve Clark being interviewed on television while his wife was serving a life sentence for the two children's deaths.Mrs Clark was later released after the Court of Appeal quashed her conviction in January, 2003. The Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, broadcast on April 27, 2000, featured an interview with Mr Clark, in which he described a nosebleed suffered by their first baby, Christopher, in a London hotel just 10 days before he died in December, 1996.Professor Southall told the police after seeing the programme that it was his professional opinion that it was Mr Clark, rather than his wife, who had killed Christopher and … [Read more...]
A Warning Shot – BFMS response to the Eastgate case
James Le Fanu (opinion, Sep 10) rightly points out that the GMC case against Dr John Eastgate raises disturbing questions about the boundaries of acceptability in mainstream psychiatric practice, and the difficulties for a third party in bringing a complaint.The Telegraph … [Read more...]
Teenage Rebel – doesnt mean they are sexually abused
The child psychiatrist Dr John Eastgate may have been cleared of professional misconduct by the GMC [report, Sep 9], but the account of how a troubled teenager came to believe she had been sexually abused, first by an eminent doctor and then by three others - including her father - sent shivers down the spineThe Telegraph … [Read more...]
Doctor’s sex abuse questions criticised – GMC inquiry continues
A CHILD abuse expert yesterday criticised a psychiatrist for allowing a 13-year-old girl wrongly to believe that she had been sexually abused. ... Dr Eastgate, a consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon, denies serious professional misconduct.The Times … [Read more...]
