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Shipman Inquiry

I am not competent to explain what ““serious”” means in this context, so I shall not even attempt to do so. However, the hon. Gentleman has slightly slipped back into saying that it is a case either of ““beyond reasonable doubt”” or ““on the balance of probabilities””. The whole point is that deprivation of livelihood, particularly in the case of a doctor, is a very serious penalty, and I do not dispute that for a moment. However, on adjudication by the GMC, the penalties are not confined to being struck off the register. Depending on the proof of misconduct and the severity of the misconduct, various penalties are possible. That is the whole point of a sliding standard.