Struck-off doctor considers appeal

The General Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Panel delivered their ruling on Tuesday after finding Dr David Southall, 59, guilty of falsely accusing a grieving mother of drugging and murdering her 10-year-old son.

The panel's decision in London came three years after he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct for accusing the husband of solicitor Sally Clark of murdering their children.

Chairman Dr Jacqueline Mitton told Dr Southall: "The panel has concluded that you have deep-seated attitudinal problems and that your misconduct is so serious that it is fundamentally incompatible with your continuing to be a registered medical practitioner."

She added: "The panel is particularly concerned by your lack of insight into the multiplicity of your failings over a long period."

A statement, read on Dr Southall's behalf by his solicitor Anne Ball, said: "I'm disappointed by today's decision because I have always maintained that the decisions I took were in the best interest of the children involved. In common with all doctors working in child protection I have often had to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions but the welfare of the children was always paramount in my mind.

"I have nothing further to add save that I am taking legal advice about the prospect of an appeal."

Patricia Hamilton, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "The RCPCH is saddened and disappointed to learn of this judgment.

"David Southall has made a major contribution to child health both nationally and internationally and has been a strong advocate for children during a distinguished career."

Dr Southall was immediately suspended from the medical register but has 28 days to lodge an appeal.