Death leap student 'not bullied'

A hospital consultant has denied bullying a medical student who jumped to his death from a college building.

Dr Richard Fuller was giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Amir Mahmood, who jumped from the School of Medicine at Leeds University last June.

The 25-year-old student's father, Dr Khalid Mahmood, claimed Dr Fuller had bullied his son and said there was a racist element to the harassment.

Dr Fuller told Leeds Coroner's Court: "I'm not a racist."

The court heard that the student, from Rossendale, Lancashire, had wanted to be a doctor since he was 11 and was intending to follow his father, a GP, into the profession.

Dr Mahmood alleged that his son was told at one point: "People don't want a doctor like you.

"Just because your parents are Asian doctors, it doesn't mean you have to be."

"I don't think my relationship was anything other than trying to support him"
Dr Richard Fuller, Amir Mahmood's tutor

Giving evidence, Dr Fuller described any racist remarks as "abhorrent".

He said: "I deal with people from different backgrounds. It's about trust.

"I'm not a racist... some of my best friends are not white. They are my friends because they are my friends. That's the same with the students."

Dr Fuller, who specialises in the care of the elderly, added: "This was and still remains an absolute tragedy.

"I have reflected on everything since. I have looked through what I have done, what other people have said to me.

"I don't think my relationship was anything other than trying to support him. I don't think I could do anything different."

'Pretty shocking'

Dr Fuller said Mr Mahmood, who was repeating his fifth year of training, had initially progressed well.

However, Mr Mahmood, who was described as a capable student, began to perform badly as the year went on and he approached his finals.

He was referred to a committee who would decide his future but before it had written to him he turned up at the hospital to get the results.

Dr Fuller said he was unable to see Mr Mahmood because of professional commitments and a colleague broke the news to him that he was being expelled from the course.

"It is still pretty shocking when it comes," Dr Fuller admitted.

The following day, Mr Mahmood threw himself from a window on the seventh floor of the Worsley Building at the hospital.

The inquest was adjourned until 28 July.

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