The disgraced surgeon, Ian Paterson, has declined to attend the first of over 60 inquests into the deaths of his former patients, claiming that the coroner’s investigation is “biased”.
The breast surgeon, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple counts of wounding in 2017, was instructed by coroner Richard Foster to appear remotely at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Court on Tuesday.
He was due to provide evidence at the inquest of Chloe Nikitas, who passed away aged 43 in April 2008. Paterson had performed a “cleavage-sparing mastectomy” on Ms Nikitas from Tamworth, leaving behind breast tissue, after she was diagnosed with grade two ductal carcinoma in 2002.
However, her cancer returned in 2005 and was terminal. On Monday, Mr Foster issued a ruling stating he could “find no reason” why Paterson could not attend the inquest and give evidence remotely from prison.
He expressed disappointment on behalf of the victims’ families that Paterson had chosen not to appear. Despite this, the 66 year old surgeon, accused of trying to delay the hearings, lodged an application to have his witness summons revoked the day before the first inquest was due to start on October 10.
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He cited health concerns, a lack of legal representation, and “inadequate facilities to prepare”. Despite Mr Foster’s ruling, which stated that he needed to hear Paterson’s evidence at all 62 inquests, the imprisoned surgeon still refused to attend Ms Nikitas’s hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
During an inquest, a prison supervisor revealed that inmate Paterson expressed concerns about the fairness of the investigation, saying he felt the “coroner isn’t investigating fairly” and believed the proceedings were “biased”. He told the court: “(Paterson) said he is not being disrespectful, but feels he is not being listened to.”
Jonathan Jones KC, the inquests’ counsel, noted that various options, such as imposing a fine or referring for prosecution, were available to Mr Foster, the coroner.
However, Mr Foster has chosen to reserve judgment, expressing hope that Paterson would reconsider his decision not to attend, acknowledging: “It is a disappointment to me, but more importantly to the bereaved families who have questions that need answering.”
He added that he had allowed Paterson to appear remotely on request and that the cooperation of the prison was aiding the inquest process. The coroner also emphasised his wish for Paterson to appear out of respect for the 62 victims’ families, concluding: “I’m satisfied I can continue without his attendance.”
He affirmed: “The appropriate course of action is to reserve my position in the hope for him to attend future inquests and I will return to this issue in due course.”
Mr Foster finished by declaring his intention to proceed, stating: “I will proceed without his participation.”
The inquest is still ongoing.
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