G20 pathologist 'not fit to practise'

The pathologist who performed the initial post-mortem examination on Ian Tomlinson, who died during the 2009 G20 protests, acted with "deficient professional performance" that impaired his fitness to practise, a tribunal has concluded.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found that Dr Freddy Patel "brought the profession into disrepute" and his integrity could not be relied upon. It will decide whether he should be struck off the medical register.

The pathologist, who is currently suspended from working, concluded that Mr Tomlinson, a newspaper seller, died from a heart attack. But an American tourist came forward with a video that showed Mr Tomlinson being hit by a police officer. Further medical reports suggested that he died from an injury to his liver that caused internal bleeding and then cardiac arrest. Last month, Constable Simon Harwood was cleared of manslaughter in the case. He will face disciplinary proceedings on 17 September. Dr Patel's competence has been found impaired in other cases, including the death of Sally White, a prostitute, in 2002. Dr Patel found she had died from natural causes, despite injuries that included a bite and a head wound.