Birmingham genital mutilation arrests: Doctors released

Two doctors arrested over allegations of female genital mutilation in Birmingham have been released without charge, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Dr Ali Haji Mao-Aweys, 61, and Dr Omar Sheikh Mohamed Addow, 55, were arrested by West Midlands Police in May.

The chief crown prosecutor said that after reviewing the evidence "no further action" should be taken.

The arrests followed an article in the Sunday Times.

Harry Ireland, from the CPS, said: "The main evidence in this case is from the undercover journalist or agent but she has consistently failed to sign her draft statement for the police despite being given every opportunity to do so over the past five months."

He said a search of the suspects' homes, computers and phones had failed to provide any evidence that they were involved in any way in "this illegal practice".

The Sunday Times has yet to comment.