DEPLORABLE

Tribunal’s damning verdict on disgraced Sky doctor Freeman

SHAMED cycling doctor Richard Freeman’s actions were ‘deplorable’ and his ability to practise medicine is impaired, a medical tribunal has ruled. The ex-Team Sky and British Cycling medic was last week ruled to have ordered banned testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it was to be used to dope a rider. Yesterday, the General Medical Council (GMC) argued that the 61-year-old’s conduct was worthy of the harshest possible sanction. ‘The GMC submits that the appropriate sanction in this case should be one of erasure,’ said Simon Jackson QC.

He cited the ‘seriousness of Freeman’s misconduct in terms of ordering Testogel for a prescribed purpose, the seriousness and repetition of breaches of good medical practice, a persisting lack of insight and the risk of repetition’, in calling for him to be struck off. Underlining his point, the QC highlighted that Freeman (left), who is now working as a GP, ‘told lies out of self-preservation to protect himself and ignored the wreckage created’. The tribunal agreed with Jackson. ‘In all circumstances, the tribunal determined Dr Freeman’s actions would be considered as deplorable by members of the public and fellow practitioners,’ it said. The panel was damning last Friday about Freeman, saying that his evidence was ‘dishonest’ and that his conduct was ‘incapable of innocent explanation’. Freeman had claimed he ordered 30 sachets of Testogel in 2011 to treat former performance director Shane Sutton’s alleged erectile dysfunction. That was dismissed by the tribunal.

The impairment decision read: ‘Dr Freeman’s conduct surrounding the Testogel amounted to a long and considered pattern of very serious dishonesty. ‘Dr Freeman abused the professional trust of colleagues and friends, publicly traduced the reputation of another professional (Mr Sutton), and deliberately misled UKAD (UK Anti-Doping). ‘His dishonesty continued during the hearing. This, too, was serious misconduct.’ The hearing reconvenes today when Freeman could be struck off. The ex-medic also faces two rule violations charges from UKAD.