SNP backbencher Jim Fairlie backs calls for a public inquiry into disgraced surgeon Professor Sam Eljamel

The Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP is the first from the SNP to publicly back calls for an inquiry into the disgraced neurosurgeon

SNP backbencher Jim Fairlie says there should be a public inquiry into disgraced neurosurgeon Professor Sam Eljamel.

Eljamel was suspended as the head of neurosurgery at NHS Tayside back in 2013 after “butchering” numerous patients with botched operations. Almost 100 patients who were left with life-changing injuries are demanding a public inquiry is held.

Up until now, no SNP MSPs have backed the group’s calls.

Professor Eljamel harmed hundreds of patients with botched operations while working as a neurosurgeon at NHS Tayside.

However, Mr Fairlie has now written to health secretary Michael Matheson saying the Scottish Government should U-turn on its current position and open up a public inquiry. This comes after the Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP met with Jules Rose, who was the last person to be operated on by Eljamel at NHS Tayside.

Ms Rose was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, but Eljamel removed her tear duct instead. She said: “I am absolutely thrilled because Jim Fairlie is the first to come out from the SNP and back our calls.

“This is just the start of the crumbling. There will be more from the SNP who will do the right thing and start backing us. It is a major shift because for two years we have been up against all SNP MSPs.

“Some have not even listened to the patients and have got their secretaries to phone them, or they have sent out the generic letter from Humza Yousaf.

“Jim Fairlie has done the decent thing and met with me and spent time listening to the harrowing stories and the suffering these patients are enduring daily.”

Ms Rose and other survivors are planning to hold a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday demanding the Government opens up a public inquiry.

This comes after NHS Tayside wrote to Eljamel’s patients apologising for being “placed at potential risk of harm” because of the health board’s “inadequacy”.

In his letter to the health secretary, Mr Fairlie said: “Having looked at this carefully, I have very real concerns that without the ability to compel witnesses to appear, the only way to get to the answers needed by the patients who were Eljamel’s victims, and for the wider peace of mind and security of patient safety going forward, is to have an independent public inquiry.

“I have taken due diligence and given the matter my thorough consideration and I have not been persuaded that there is a better way of achieving the outcome that satisfies the wishes of my constituent and of the other victims of Eljamel.

“I firmly believe this is the right thing to do in this distressing case.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Last week’s report laid bare some of the failings in NHS Tayside’s response to concerns over Professor Eljamel.

“It is clear from this review that these were not acted upon with the urgency they deserved.

“What is important now is that those people directly affected are supported to find the answers they need, and that both staff and patients across Scotland know lessons are being learned.

“For that to happen properly, I have been clear that this needs investigation independent of both NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government.

“We will provide more details on this shortly.”