JK midwife 'bungled birth'

A HOLISTIC midwife, who delivered two of JK Rowling's children, was accused of bungling a home birth, after the decision to strike her off over the same blunder was overturned.

Deborah Purdue, 48, a partner at the Dorset and Wiltshire Independent Midwives company in Dorset, missed a series of indications that a baby boy was in distress during labour.

The midwife was kicked out of the profession in March 2009 after the Nursing and Midwifery Council concluded her actions put the baby at risk.

But an appeal to her governing body was successful and Ms Purdue now faces a new hearing to decide her fate.

A separate independent panel will decide what sanction, if any, to impose on the midwife.