DAUK\u2019s Dr Steve Taylor says protesting climate change is \u2018unlikely to be a law break\u2019 that affects a doctor\u2019s clinical judgement or their ability to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a letter to the Times, Dr Taylor, Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) GP spokesperson, said the law was a complex set of rules that politicians have fallen foul of but continued to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His letter was in response to a column by Daniel Finkelstein, \u2018Contempt for the law shows contempt for us all\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Taylor said: \u201cThe problem with this argument is that the law is a wide and complex set of rules, which at times are not as clear cut as he makes out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed, many of our MPs have broken laws, which have not resulted in their suspension from parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe public have every right to be protected from law-breakers when they see a doctor, but it is unlikely that they would be fazed by seeing one that has broken a law that does not affect their clinical judgement or trustworthiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Dr Taylor\u2019s letter in full<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Benn, a GP of 32 years, was suspended for five months following her Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing after being arrested and jailed for her involvement in peaceful demonstrations at an oil terminal. Dr Benn said she had a moral duty to take action to protect health and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more details of her case<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK) has set up a survey asking for the views of members, health professionals, and the public on Dr Benn\u2019s case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please complete our short survey and tell us your views<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The survey has been reported on by Pulse<\/a> and Doctors.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our statement on the suspension of Dr Benn following her MPTS hearing was used by GPOnline.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDr Sarah Benn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n