SUPPORTERS have started an online petition to save a doctor who asked a Muslim woman to remove her veil so that he could hear her clearly during a consultation.
Dr Keith Wolverson, a GP with 23 years of experience, received a letter last week from the General Medical Council stating that his conduct was under investigation.
The situation arose last year when Wolverson asked a woman to lift her veil so that he could hear her clearly.
The woman had brought her daughter to see him and when he struggled to understand her, he "politely" asked the woman to remove it.
She agreed to remove it without any objection, but when her husband arrived later, he declared he was lodging a complaint, said Wolverson.
Wolverson said he was upset at being accused of racial discrimination and was planning to quit medicine.
"Unfortunately I’m not able to work at the moment as I’m a locum GP and no-one will employ you while you’re under investigation by the GMC," he was quoted as saying.
"I feel I’ve been left with no alternative but to look at doing something else.
"I’ve received a lot of messages of support since announcing my decision, which is a comfort. People have been almost unequivocal in backing me."
The petition was launched two days ago by a person named Peri Morgan and it calls for Wolverson to be treated fairly.
“I believe he acted in the best interest of the child involved and their was no racist or religious discrimination in his actions. We need to ensure the General Medical Council treat this man fairly and look at all the evidence.
“Our NHS is severely understaffed and we cannot afford to lose doctors due to fabricated accusations of discrimination.”
A spokesman for the Doctors' Association UK told the Mail on Sunday that the GMC should consider issuing guidelines to protect both doctors and patients.
"It is of utmost importance that the religious wishes of our patients are respected. However, evidently there are some circumstances where removal of a niqab or burqa is necessary for medical assessment and treatment," the spokesperson said.
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)