Manchester doctor in 'wrong gender' abortion ban

A doctor at the centre of an undercover investigation at a private clinic in Manchester has been banned from carrying out abortions.

The General Medical Council (GMC) made the order after the Daily Telegraph's allegations that Dr Prabha Sivaraman approved "wrong gender" abortions.

Pall Mall Medical where Dr Sivaraman practised said it terminated her contract following the report.

Dr Sivaraman has been unavailable for comment.

'Social reasons'

Abortions based on the sex of the foetus are illegal in the UK under the 1967 Abortion Act.

Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the GMC, said: "Sex selection through abortion is illegal and is a clear breach of our guidance for doctors."

The Daily Telegraph alleged that the doctor told an undercover reporter who said she was not looking to have this baby at the moment because it was a girl: "I don't ask questions - if you want a termination, you want a termination."

She is alleged to have then told a colleague to book the woman in for a termination for "social reasons".

The GMC ruling states Dr Sivaraman "must not authorise any termination of pregnancy or carry out any termination of pregnancy work, either by consultation or surgery".

The doctor's fitness to practise is currently under investigation by the GMC.

A spokesman for Pall Mall Medical said: "Dr Sivaraman, was immediately suspended from Pall Mall Medical following the report published by the Daily Telegraph.

"The clinic does not offer termination services any longer as these were being provided solely by Miss Sivaraman, whose contract has now been terminated."

The spokesman added: "The clinic does not condone in any way the referral for termination on the grounds of gender.

"Our policy makes that completely clear. As soon as this concern was brought to our attention, the clinic took urgent action to stop any further appointments for terminations."