Paterson refuses to attend first of 62 inquests into former patients’ deaths

Disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson has refused to attend the first of more than 60 inquests into the deaths of his former patients because he believes the coroner’s investigation is “biased”, a court has been told.

Coroner Richard Foster ordered the breast surgeon, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple woundings in 2017, to appear remotely at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Court on Tuesday to give evidence at Chloe Nikitas’ inquest. , who died aged 43 in April 2008.

Paterson performed a “cleavage-sparing mastectomy” on Ms Nikitas, from Tamworth, leaving behind breast tissue after she was diagnosed with stage two ductal carcinoma in 2002, but the cancer returned in 2005 and proved incurable.

Mr Foster handed down a ruling on Monday saying he could “find no reason” why Paterson could not attend the inquest and give evidence remotely from prison, and said it was “disappointing” to the victims’ families that he decided not to show up.

Paterson, 66, was accused of trying to delay the hearing after he applied to quash a witness call the day before the first inquest was due to begin on October 10, citing health problems, lack of legal representation and “inadequate facilities.” prepare.”

Despite Mr Foster’s decision to hear Paterson testify at all 62 inquests, the jailed surgeon still refused to attend Ms Nikitas’ hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

The prison officer told the inquest he had a 20-minute conversation with Paterson on Tuesday morning in which the prisoner said he believed “the coroner’s investigation was not being conducted fairly” and that the proceedings were “biased.”

He said: “(Paterson) said he was not being disrespectful, but he felt he was not being listened to.”

Jonathan Jones, counsel for the investigation, said Mr Foster had a range of powers including imposing a fine of up to £1,000 on Paterson, referring him for possible prosecution for failure to appear or referring him to the Director of Public Prosecutions for contempt of court. court.

Mr Foster said he would reserve his judgment in the hope Paterson would change his mind and attend future inquiries.

He said: “I am disappointed that he did not comply with the Schedule 5 requirement to be present today.

“This is disappointing for me, but more importantly for the families of the victims who have questions that need to be answered.

“I said he should be present if only out of respect for the families of the 62 victims.

“I have granted permission to appear remotely at his request and the prison has provided me with exceptional cooperation, which is an ongoing commitment in each of our investigations.

“I hope he will reconsider and reconsider his position.

“I am satisfied that I can continue without his presence.

“The appropriate course of action is to reserve his position in the hope that he will attend future inquiries and I will return to this matter in due course.

“I will act without his participation.”

The investigation is ongoing.