Surgeon's hug after patient dies

Mr Walker specialised in abdominal surgery in Blackpool

A surgeon put his arm around the husband of a woman he is accused of killing on the operating table and offered him sympathy, a court has heard

Donald McPhee told the Old Bailey there was a "funny atmosphere" in the hospital after his wife Dorothy died.

Steven Walker, 47, of Camberley, Surrey, denies the manslaughter of Jean Robinson, 66, and Mrs McPhee, 71, at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital in 1995.

He also denies theft and perverting the course of justice.

I got some sympathy from him. He said he was awfully sorry Donald McPhee

Mr McPhee told the court: "He put his arm around my shoulder. He said Dorothy had been a high risk patient.

"I got some sympathy from him. He said he was awfully sorry."

Dorothy McPhee had a cancer operation from which she recovered in 1994, but was referred to Mr Walker in 1995 when she suffered pains.

She was operated on by Mr Walker to remove a tumour from her liver but bled to death.

'Critical condition'

Mr McPhee said he was assured by the surgeon that the operation would be all right.

Mr Walker told him the operation had gone well in a telephone conversation shortly afterwards.

But when his eldest daughter, Elaine, rang the hospital she was told her mother was in a critical condition and the family should go in to see her.

On arriving at the intensive care unit, they were told Mrs McPhee was dying and there was nothing that could be done.

The prosecution claim Mr Walker was not competent to carry out the operation.

Steven Walker also denies stealing an operating log book that was found in the loft of his home.

The case continues.