Please forward to your lists.
A lot has happened over the past month or so that
has some substantial effect on "the system".
There are a couple of cases in the Family Court
system that, although important, cannot be commented on in this email. One
is in Scotland the other in the West Midlands (Birmingham).
The judgement of Justice Mumby relating to the
Webster Family is an important judgement.
The Times have posted it in full online (in 4
pages). It is worth reading.
The Webster family have been allowed to take
Brandon home whilst the court proceedings continue.
Simon Clayton's judgement also has helped to put
cracks in the secrecy of the family court. It might be that there will be
a further similar action from a child victim of the system in the near future
(discussions are afoot).
Obviously Marianne Williams' case was
important. The excellent legal team of Bill Bache and Andy Scott
managed to prove her innocence. It would be nice if the system needed to
prove her guilt, but with witch hunts that never happens.
Quoting from EDM 2892
MEDICAL EVIDENCE IN COURTS
31.10.2006
Hemming, John
That this House welcomes the work of the Chief Medical Officer
in relation to expert witnesses relating to medical issues, but expresses
concern that medical professionals with conflicts of interest have been allowed
to promote prosecutions such as that of Marianne Williams; notes with concern
that a false diagnosis of chronic sexual abuse by a medical professional,
followed by multiple unacceptable errors by social workers, in a recent case
caused a family to be separated for some years when in fact there was no actual
evidence of abuse; expresses its continuing support for opening up the family
courts so that errors made by professionals are more readily detected and hence
prevented and the consequent miscarriages of justice avoided; and calls for a
review as to what extent witnesses as to facts should be involved in Crown
conferences in criminal cases
I am not allowed to identify the case referred to
where chronic sexual abuse was diagnosed, but in fact when looked at properly
there was no evidence of any sexual abuse, but it appears that the RCPCH may
have recognised the nature of this problem.
The conflicts of interest in the expert witnesses
for the Marianne Williams case have been recognised by the media.
One of the reasons why it is worth reading the full
judgements is clear when people read the Court of Appeal judgement relating to
Roy Meadow.
Much that it was initially reported that Meadow had
been found "not guilty" of "serious professional misconduct". The fact was
that all three judges believed he was guilty of "professional misconduct".
One thought it should be on the basis of one trial "serious professional
misconduct"
He should now face more allegations in front of the
GMC.
This brings us to the role of the GMC. There
has been a tendency for doctors to remove themselves from the register rather
than face proceedings at the GMC. I am personally concerned that the GMC
seem to be more interested in sex than massively unethical research
projects.
Some of the allegations against David Southall (who
according to Keele University has been nothing to do with them since late 2004)
will be considered at a hearing starting on 13th November along with other
allegations against one or more other paediatricians relating to unethical
use of child protection procedures.
I am currently attempting for a meeting with the
RCPCH to find their view on research project E5 as identified and reported on in
the report of Professor Sir David Hull that is now in the public domain.
The University Hospital of North Staffordshire have
hidden as a result of requests for them to provide copies of the secret medical
files. They have now been reported to the Information Commissioner, but
are steadfastly avoiding saying whether or not they will tell patients that
they have secret medical files.
A meeting on secrecy of family courts was held last
Monday (30th Oct)
Tamm'y story is interesting
New Parliamentary Session
Because there is a new parliamentary session all
the EDM's will fall and need to be retabled. This will be done some
time in the new parliamentary session. It is, therefore, worth holding
back for a few weeks before chasing MPs about the EDMs. The old numbers
will still be visible on edmi.parliament.uk
If you haven't seen the EDMs previously try looking
at them at
I am looking at holding a "no more witch
hunts" event in the House of Commons. If anyone would wish to
attend please get them to email or write to me at
John Hemming MP
Freepost
House of Commons
London SW1 0AA
The event itself would be free, but people would
have to find their own travel costs.
Please note my previous campaign report
available online:
On a separate issue I have applied for permission
to appeal to the court of appeal in relation to forcing ministers to answer
questions.