'Global Covid conspiracy theory' surgeon struck off

A SENIOR NHS surgeon has been struck off for claiming the Covid pandemic was a ‘worldwide conspiracy’ and publicly criticising lockdowns and vaccines.

- JON HARRIS & BENJAMIN BLOSSE

Muhammad Adil, a senior surgeon who had worked at hospitals across Greater Manchester, was brought before a disciplinary tribunal after he labelled Covid a ‘flu like virus’ and repeated various conspiracy theories about the illness on YouTube and X – formerly known as Twitter.

He was suspended for six months from medical practice in June last year over the posts after he initially apologised for the ‘silly’ remarks. But months later, the 64-year-old later reiterated his views, claiming he was entitled to ‘free speech’ and that his beliefs were aired outside of work hours.

Now, following a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, a fitness to practice panel ordered Adil’s name to be erased from the medical register following a review hearing which he refused to attend. He is currently appealing against the sanctions.

Adil, a married father-of-three, was a locum consultant colorectal surgeon at Royal Oldham who also says on a fundraising page that he has worked at North Manchester General Hospital. He started posting his conspiracy theory views on Covid in April 2020 – a month after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK into its first lockdown.