Almost a week after the British government finally banned one of the most controversial Islamist organizations in the world, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has suspended a general practitioner (GP) from a town in Greater London who heads the group.
“EXCLUSIVE: who heads newly outlawed Islamist group 'suspended' by NHS England” - Jewish News https://t.co/CsCCckmwwu
— Bob M (@bobmca1) January 22, 2024
NHS England has confirmed that it suspended Dr. Wahid Shaida, also known as Abdul Wahid, after the British government proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir on January 19th. Wahid serves as the British head of the organization’s branch in the United Kingdom, and he is also a GP in Harrow, a town in Greater London.
Britain’s Home Secretary James Cleverly moved to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir on January 15th, describing the group as “antisemitic” and warned that it “promotes and encourages terrorism.” Cleverly passed a banning order before the Parliament, which made it illegal to join, invite people to join, or publicly promote the group under the UK’s anti-terrorism laws.
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper supported the move, as did efforts to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir. The group denounced the ban and said it would be challenged "using all available legal means,” as reflected on its website: "The British Government has proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir on 19 January 2024. A legal challenge is proceeding." The UK joins countries such as Egypt, Germany, and Russia in banning the controversial Islamist group.
absolutely right. He should not even be in this country as head of such a terrorist organisation, and a doctor in the NHS ? how does he equate his hippocratic oath with his organization's murderous intent.
— Mike Fraser (@Theknows) January 22, 2024
“We take any issues relating to professional conduct seriously and have procedures in place to make sure that individuals are fit to work in the NHS. We can confirm that Dr Wahid Shaida has been suspended from the NHS primary care performers list,” an NHS London spokesperson said in a statement regarding Wahid’s suspension.
Despite the suspension, the GP Direct Website has still listed Wahid as a “salaried GP” at his practice since 2002. On the website, the doctor, who trains GP trainees, also says he has “special interests lie in the field of medical education. He is a GP trainer for recently qualified doctors. He is currently the information governance and complaints lead within the practice.”
In December, Wahid sparked controversy after he called Hamas a “resistance” group after its deadly surprise attack against Israel that left 1,200 Israelis dead. He also described the October 7 attacks as “a very welcome punch on the nose” on Piers Morgan’s Talk TV show.
The GMC (General Medical Council), a public body in the UK that regulates and maintains the official register of medical practitioners within the country, was urged to suspend Wahid following his links with Hizb ut-Tahrir.
“As we have outlined previously, we are only able to confirm the publicly available information about individual doctors as it appears on the medical register,” a GMC spokesperson said.
“However, I thought it would be helpful to clarify that the GMC investigates concerns about doctors and, if appropriate, refers them to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). The MPTS is independent of the GMC, and they will make the decision about whether a doctor’s fitness to practice is impaired and, if so, the sanction. The MPTS is separate from the GMC’s investigatory role,” the spokesperson added.
“We cannot confirm whether we are investigating a doctor unless they have been interim suspended or have interim conditions following a hearing of the Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) at the MPTS,” the spokesperson also said. “We can and will investigate serious concerns that suggest patient safety or the public’s confidence in doctors may be at risk and will take action where it is necessary.”
He'll be on full pay and then they'll reinstate and apologise.
— He Man(@HeMan64911556) January 22, 2024
A local doctor who spoke to Jewish News UK, who also reported Wahid’s suspension on the condition of anonymity, also urged medical authorities in the country to investigate Wahid over his links with Hizb ut-Tahrir.
“It’s vital that NHS England and the General Medical Council (GMC) investigate their management of the case of this doctor, who, whilst working as an NHS GP for decades, has also for the last approximately ten years been openly leading a recently proscribed terror group, which has already been banned in other countries,” the doctor said.
“Despite grave safeguarding concerns raised regarding the wellbeing and safety of staff, patients, and the public, and notwithstanding the statutory Prevent Duty to combat terrorism in healthcare, he remains a fully registered GMC doctor and GP trainer with a license to practice,” the doctor also added.
