Van Velzen: A 'devastated' man

Professor van Velzen: Will fight to clear name

By the BBC's Niall Dickson

When we met Professor Dick van Velzen looked devastated, pale, tense and drawn.

There is no doubt the Alder Hey inquiry has had a huge impact on this once high-flying doctor who now sees his career lying in ruins before him.

We had originally talked about doing the interview at his lawyer's offices but there was always the danger other media might turn up - the offices have been besieged at times over the last few days.

So it was decided that we would meet him at the Sheraton Hotel next to Schiphol airport on Sunday night.

Van Velzen's time at Alder Hey Children's Hospital shocked the public

He came with his lawyer, a friend and a PR adviser who at one time advised the Dutch prime minister. So he was well supported by a team anxious to protect him during his experience.

The one aspect of the interview both he and his advisers were adamant about was that there should be no cameras.

It seemed they felt he was not up to facing the additional strain of having cameras pointed at him.

They made it clear if any cameras were there the interview would be off - so it was a sound only job.

I have seldom seen a man who looked more under strain.

Dreadful colour

His colour was dreadful and he looked as if he had been through a terrible few days - as indeed he said he had been.

He said the last few days had been devastating for him, his colleagues, his friends and his family - and they were in a state of shock because they did not recognise the person described in the report.

If he had seen the way the tabloid newspapers in the UK have described him, perhaps he would be even more shocked.

But this is a highly intelligent man who has a strong sense of self-belief.

He spoke to me of having headed a new department at Alder Hey which was the best in the world.

Damning report

You can still see the iron determination and I have little doubt he will fight to clear his name - but does he believe he can succeed after such a damning report?

The human capacity for self-delusion is pretty unlimited but I am not sure whether deep down he believes he can turn this around.

To do that he will have to convince the General Medical Council he is right and the independent inquiry chaired by Michael Redfern QC is wrong in just about every particular - a tall order.

The task of preparing his defence will be undertaken in the Netherlands but Prof van Velzen knows if is to clear his name he will have to return to Britain. That too could be a devastating experience.