Roundup of Tribunal happenings today before resumes next week from Dan Roan.
Freeman’s QC Mary O’Rourke says the defence has “struggled” with a journalist, a “reluctant witness” who “volunteered his help” over an alleged Daily Mail affidavit she claims was signed by ex-coach Shane Sutton & who “now appears to be running scared”, refusing to give evidence
O’Rourke then refers to another journalist - a female - who “has now told us she knows of the affidavit but has never seen it”. “The other one has seen it but is not prepared for his name to be disclosed to us.” Says she is considering witness summonsing them.
“We have no power to take it further” says O’Rourke over a Section 35a submission for the affidavit to be disclosed. Says she’s “disappointed” the GMC have not backed the application for this disclosure. Says the matter could be subject to an appeal point or judicial review.
“We’re not happy with the GMC’s response on the Section 35a” says O’Rourke. “We’re trying to obtain that affidavit by other means..we’ve invited the journalist to participate. He hasn’t sadly come back to us.”
O’Rourke says Dr Freeman is in “robust good health, thank goodness” (the tribunal was adjourned in December last year due to his ill health), and is now working 5 days a week at a GP’s surgery due to the pandemic. Says he will finally take the stand and give evidence on Oct 6th
O’Rourke: Freeman was “shocked” that former Team Sky head of medicine Dr Steve Peters sent information relating to him to the GMC, rather than to the defence. “It caused great distress to Dr Freeman that the GMC was provided with info, including consultations with (his) ex-wife”
Is interesting going back to Wiggins comments in 2018 seems to still be at the core of O'Rourke's defence even more now. He pretty much said Lawton has committed a criminal offence over the affidavit & Jiffybag allegation.
Some other information on proceedings from a medical website:
Freeman will submit himself to a number of medical examinations, both on behalf of his own legal team and the General Medical Council, before matters proceed.
GMC can instruct a forensic psychologist to produce a report on him.
A further preliminary hearing must take place on September 25 ahead of the anticipated resumption on October 6.
GMC ordered that O'Rourke must disclose a redacted copy of the statement by the "journalistic source" they previously referred to and that he must provide a signed witness statement relating to any additional evidence on which he wishes to rely.