Butcher breast surgeon refuses to leave prison cell to give evidence at first of 62 inquests

Ian Paterson, who subjected more than 1,000 patients to unnecessary and damaging operations over 14 years, and is serving a 20 year jail sentence, was ordered to give evidence at the 11-month-long inquest by the coroner

A rogue breast surgeon has refused to leave his prison cell and take part in the first of 62 inquests into the women who died after he operated on them.

Ian Paterson, who subjected more than 1,000 patients to unnecessary and damaging operations over 14 years, and is serving a 20 year jail sentence, was ordered to take part by a coroner - after making a last minute plea to be excused on health grounds. The 66-year-old refused to leave his cell and did not show up at the hearing.

Last week he claimed his life is at risk if he were to attend with a psychologist, Dr Ronald Lyle, giving evidence on his behalf at a special hearing on Thursday, claiming he had high levels of anxiety and a PTSD-like condition. Yesterday, coroner Judge Richard Foster ruled that Dr Lyle was "an unimpressive expert witness who had not applied the rigour which is usually expected of such an important expert witness providing evidence to the court".

The coroner added he could “find no reason” that Paterson could not give evidence remotely at the inquests. He said: "The first Inquest when Mr Paterson is required to give evidence is that of Chloe Nikitas which commences on Tuesday 22nd October 2024. I expect him to appear remotely. No doubt his legal team will advise him upon the consequences of non-compliance."

Failure to comply with the Schedule 5 notice, compelling Paterson to attend, can result in up to 51 weeks in prison or a fine. Today a prison officer, who has spoken to Paterson today, gave evidence to the hearing.

Mr Burgess told the coroner that Paterson thinks the proceedings are bias, the coroner is not dealing with the investigation fairly, he has not had full access to the documentation and he is not represented by his lawyers at the moment.

In 2017, Paterson was found guilty of 17 counts of wounding people with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding. Now a joint inquest is being held for more than 50 of his patients that died after the were treated by him. He left male and female patients significantly deformed, with one looking like a "car crash victim" after telling them they were at risk from cancer when they were healthy.

On hearing his plea for the coroner to revoke the schedule 5 notice - compelling him to take part in the hearing - families of those who lost their lives were given the opportunity by Judge Richard Foster to have their say. One said it was unacceptable that he would not take part, while Mr Baker, whose wife's death will be discussed in the coming weeks, said he was going through hell.

He said: "I don't know the intricacies of the legal system but on a personal level, a lot of the families have been put through hell by this individual and are having that hell extended by more delays that Paterson is creating. Lots of the families are now receiving counselling and I think it's unacceptable to put them through more delays."

The daughter of Jennifer Lloyd-Faux, who died after Paterson operated on her, also spoke. She added: "The whole experience is quite traumatic for all of the families of the victims. This is an inquest and the fact that he can't have legal representation or evidence to review in his own time, this is not a criminal or civil hearing, it's a fact finding mission. I don't understand why we have got to go through more delays."

Mr Moss, who is representing a number of families, also reminded the coroner that Paterson "has form for exaggerating his health conditions" as he did ahead of his trial in 2017. The joint inquest for 62 women treated by Paterson who later died is expected to last 11 months.