Pathologist quizzed over Ripper death examination

The pathologist criticised over his part in the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests faced fresh allegations over examinations he carried out into a victim of the so-called "Camden Ripper".

Dr Freddy Patel is accused of "irresponsible" conduct in connection with post-mortem examination reports in 2002 into the death of 31-year-old prostitute Sally White, the first victim of Anthony Hardy, dubbed the "Camden Ripper".

Hardy, now 59, was given three life sentences in November 2003 for the murders of three women, including Miss White, to "satisfy his depraved and perverted needs".

The naked body of Miss White - named only as Ms E - was discovered inside a room in Hardy's flat in January 2002, the General Medical Council was told.

Dr Patel found Miss White had died of natural causes, in a post-mortem report, the GMC was told, in spite of blood staining on her clothing, her bedding, and on a wall in the room. The pathologist denies irresponsible conduct and a further charge of dishonesty over a CV entry.

The allegations are the latest to be heard against Dr Patel at the GMC. He was suspended from the medical register in September for three months after being found guilty of misconduct in two earlier post-mortems, and showing deficient professional performance in a third.

The disciplinary action comes after Dr Patel faced intense scrutiny over his post-mortem examination of Mr Tomlinson.

The 47-year-old newspaper seller died after he was struck with a baton in April last year and pushed to the ground by a police officer on the fringes of the G20 protest. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer said the evidence of Dr Patel, who found Mr Tomlinson died of natural causes, could undermine any prosecution.