Jailed GP 'missed out' at inquiry

Ayling was jailed for four years for molesting 10 female patients

Disgraced GP Clifford Ayling has been told by a High Court judge he missed his chance to put his side to an inquiry into how he was able to sexually assault patients without being caught.

Ayling is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for a string of sex offences against female patients carried out while he practised at a surgery in Folkestone, Kent.

The independent inquiry was ordered by the government to prevent the risk of future sexual abuse of patients.

In the High Court on Wednesday, Ayling appeared in person to argue that that his right to a fair hearing under Article 6 of the European Rights had been breached.

Case 'unarguable'

He argued that he had not been given a fair opportunity to make his own submissions to the inquiry - and rebut allegations made against him in public by inquiry witnesses including a woman who accused him of rape.

Rejecting his application for permission to seek judicial review, Mr Justice Jackson said his case was unarguable.

He said Ayling had been given an opportunity to give evidence and be represented at the inquiry in Ashford but had not taken it.

The judge also observed Ayling was given the chance of seeing hospital records of his accusers, providing he signed a confidentiality agreement, but he refused.

Ayling was jailed for four years in December 2000 at Maidstone Crown Court after being found guilty of 13 counts of molesting 10 of his female patients.

In June 2001 he was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council.

The independent committee of inquiry, set up last September by the Department of Health, started at the end of April and is due to finish on Thursday.

Ayling could be released from jail in August.