KC to lead Eljamel inquiry

A TOP lawyer who grilled Nicola Sturgeon during the Covid inquiry will take a similar role in the upcoming Eljamel probe.

Jamie Dawson KC has been made senior counsel for the inquiry into the scandal surrounding the disgraced former Dundee neurosurgeon.

That means he will quiz witnesses including senior NHS Tayside leadership figures, on what they knew about Sam Eljamel’s behaviour.

The ex-ninewells doctor harmed hundreds of patients while employed in Dundee between 1995 and 2013.

Major questions remain about why he was not stopped sooner given concerns were raised years before his suspension.

Victims of Eljamel, who spent years fighting for a public inquiry, said they were “delighted” with Mr Dawson’s appointment. Former first minister Ms Sturgeon struggled to defend her handling of the pandemic when he subjected her to intense questioning.

Mr Dawson also grilled health adviser Jason Leitch, who came under fire after %%messages showed him advising Humza Yousaf how to dodge Covid mask rules.

The Tele revealed former National Clinical Director Mr Leitch had a role in helping to establish the Eljamel inquiry.

That proved especially controversial when it emerged he was still technically an employee of NHS Tayside despite working for the Scottish Government.

Mr Leitch could be called as a witness to the Eljamel inquiry.

Campaigner Jules Rose, from Kinross, said: “I’m thrilled at the news one of the UK’S finest KC’S has been appointed as senior counsel. Like many, I was extremely impressed with Mr Dawson’s forensic questioning of Nicola Sturgeon and Jason Leitch at the UK Covid inquiry. Myself and fellow patients of the butcher Eljamel will be in the public gallery to watch every second in our pursuit of justice.”

Mr Dawson was called to the bar in 2004, and became a King’s Counsel, the title given to senior trial lawyers considered particular experts, four years ago.

He has extensive experience in dealing with medical cases.

His father, Lord Dawson, served as a judge of the Supreme Courts of Scotland and was also the country’s solicitor general.

In his role as senior counsel, Mr Dawson will work closely with Lord Robert Weir KC, who is chairing the inquiry.

The Dundee University graduate was assigned to oversee the probe in February.

Advocate Alex Price-marmion will assist Mr Dawson as junior counsel, while a civil servant has been appointed as secretary to the inquiry.

Jamie Dawson KC in action.