Dr Richard Freeman: Ex-British Cycling and Team Sky chief struck off medical register

Ex-British Cycling and Team Sky chief doctor Richard Freeman has been struck off the medical register permanently.

The sanction came a day after a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled Freeman's fitness to practise was "impaired by reason of his misconduct".

The tribunal recently found Freeman guilty of ordering banned testosterone in 2011.

The General Medical Council (GMC) said he ordered it "knowing or believing" it was to help dope an unnamed rider.

Freeman had previously admitted 18 of 22 charges against him but denied the central charge about the purpose of the Testogel order.

In a statement following the ruling on Friday Dr Freeman said: "I disagree vehemently with the determination of the tribunal.

"I have the right of appeal and will now consider that option with the benefit of further legal advice. No further statements will be issued before that process is completed."

Freeman's QC Mary O'Rourke had said an appeal to the High Court was "highly likely".

While the GMC investigates doctors and brings a case against them, MPTS tribunals make independent decisions about a doctor's fitness to practise.

Neil Dalton, chair of the MPTS, said: "The tribunal considered that Dr Freeman's behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with continued registration.

"The tribunal has therefore determined that erasure is the only sufficient sanction which would protect patients, maintain public confidence in the profession and send a clear message to Dr Freeman, the profession and the public that his misconduct constituted behaviour unbefitting and incompatible with that of a registered doctor."

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