Disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson refuses to attend inquest
The jailed former breast surgeon Ian Paterson has refused to give evidence at an inquest into the deaths of 62 of his former patients, in a move labelled “unacceptable” and “atrocious” by families of the deceased.
Paterson had been due to speak at the judge-led inquest at Birmingham and Solihull coroner’s court, which is investigating whether 62 of Paterson’s former patients “died an unnatural death as a result of his actions”.
Paterson, 66, was served a notice in September requiring him to give evidence on Thursday via video link from prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence for 17 counts of wounding, but lawyers representing him said he had declined to attend.
In an application made at 11pm on Wednesday, they cited health reasons, which were not detailed in open court, as well as a “lack of legal representation” and “inadequate facilities to prepare” as the reasons why Paterson could not engage in the inquest process.
Judge Foster, leading the inquest, said it would “be greatly enhanced and improved if Paterson participated” and it was the first opportunity, apart from his criminal trial, for him to answer questions about his practice under oath.
Stephen Baker, whose wife, Christine, died in 2015, said: “We’ve been put through hell by this individual, and now they’re extending this hell with the constant delays Ian Paterson is creating. I think it’s unacceptable to put [the families of the deceased] through the increased stress of an inquest delay.”
Source: The Guardian, 10 October 2024