Struck-off paediatrician wins appeal over accusation

A paediatrician struck off for allegedly accusing a grieving mother of murdering her son today won a landmark victory in his fight to save his career.

Three Appeal Court judges ruled that the reasons given by the General Medical Council for striking off David Southall were inadequate and flawed.

Dr Southall was found guilty of serious professional misconduct in December 2007 when the GMC Fitness to Practise panel ruled he had abused his position by accusing a Shropshire mother, Mrs M, of murdering her 10-year-old son. The boy had hanged himself in 1996.

Today's ruling means the GMC will now have to reconsider the case and provide more detailed reasons to the court for their decision to strike off Dr Southall.

However, stressing Dr Southall may still be a long way from being allowed to practise again, Lord Justice Leveson said: "This conclusion is not a condemnation of Mrs M, or a vindication of Dr Southall."

The consultant paediatrician, who was based at Royal Brompton Hospital, was previously suspended from childcare work for four years following an unrelated GMC hearing in 2004.