G20 pathologist to face hearing

A public hearing will begin today into the fitness to practise of a pathologist criticised for his part in the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests.

Dr Freddy Patel found that the newspaper seller from Derbyshire died from a heart attack, but questions were raised afterwards when an American tourist came forward with a film recording of him being hit.

Additional medical reports suggested that he had died from an injury to his liver that caused internal bleeding and then cardiac arrest.

At the inquest into Mr Tomlinson's death, Dr Patel's claim that Mr Tomlinson died of a heart attack was discredited by the jury in favour of the string of experts who said he died of internal bleeding.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has already sat in private to establish the facts of the case against Mr Patel. Their findings are set to be released later today.

The panel will now start considering whether the facts indicate that Dr Patel's fitness to practise was impaired, in a hearing expected to last for three weeks.

They will sit in Manchester today and tomorrow before relocating to London for three days so that Dr Patel can give evidence in person.

Last month, Pc Simon Harwood was cleared of the manslaughter of Mr Tomlinson in 2009. He said he had used reasonable force when he hit the 47-year-old with a baton and shoved him to the ground as he walked away from police lines in the City of London.

Mr Tomlinson had been homeless for several years during his life and was a heavy drinker, suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.