Celeb plagiarism doc may face further punishment

12:22pm Sunday 22nd June 2008

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TV psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud could face further action from his South London bosses after admitting copying and pasting other authors' work into his media articles.

Dr Persaud, known for chat show appearances on This Morning and BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind, was suspended for three months by a disciplinary panel of the General Medical Council on Friday.

South London and Maudsley Trust which employs the 45-year-old as a consultant and runs health services in Croydon and Lambeth, said they had not yet made any decision on Dr Persaud's future.

A spokesman said: "We take note of the GMC's ruling and will give this due consideration when we have received the full report of their findings in order to determine what further steps may be taken."

In a statement issued through the Medical Protection Society, Dr Persaud said: "I am saddened by the findings and decision of the GMC, which relates to material published in 2004 and 2005. These matters have been under investigation since 2005.

"As I said during the hearing, I accept that my use of the work of some authors lacked adequate acknowledgement.

"I have apologised repeatedly for this during the hearing, and I apologise for this now. I am saddened that this occurred while I was seeking to promote the work of academics to the wider public.

"I am grateful for the support of so many colleagues, patients and members of the public who have contacted the GMC and myself to offer their support to me at this difficult time.

"Mental illness and psychological problems are much misunderstood, but extremely common predicaments which still require energetic efforts to de-stigmatise. I hope to be allowed to continue with this work in the future."