Over 150 doctors back cardiologist facing General Medical Council probe over Covid jab criticism

Supporters say the case risks punishing a doctor for raising scientific concerns – and warn it could deter others from speaking out about patient safety. They say the action is "political" rather than medically motivated.

The joint letter, sent to GMC chair Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen, says the regulator’s actions against Dr Malhotra are unjustified and based on a selective interpretation of his remarks.

It states the letter “deplores” the GMC action against Dr Malhotra and supports “his brave and principled stand on the Covid-19 mRNA products.”

The letter was organised by four health campaign groups: the Children’s Covid Vaccines Advisory Council, Doctors for Patients UK, the Health Advisory and Recovery Team and the UK Medical Freedom Alliance and signed by more than 150 clinicians, scientists and academics.

It comes alongside an online petition, the Hope Accord, signed by more than 2,000 medics across the world, calls for a moratorium on Covid mRNA vaccines and more help for people who have been vaccine-injured.

Those backing Dr Malhotra include senior figures from across medicine and academia, including:

• Professor Angus Dalgleish, Emeritus Professor of Oncology, University of London
• Professor Paul Goddard, retired Professor of Radiology, University of the West of England
• Professor Roger Watson, Honorary Professor of Nursing, University of Hull
• Professor David Livermore, retired Professor of Medical Microbiology, University of East Anglia
• Professor Norman Fenton, Emeritus Professor of Risk Information Management, Queen Mary University of London
• Dr Clare Craig, Co-Chair, Health Advisory & Recovery Team
• Dr Ayiesha Malik, NHS General Practitioner and co-founder of Doctors for Patients UK
• Dr Rosamond Jones, retired consultant paediatrician

Dozens of consultant physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, epidemiologists, general practitioners and researchers also signed the letter.
The signatories argue the allegations against Dr Malhotra focus on selected comments rather than his published work.

“Much of the evidence presented against him appears to have been cherry-picked from long interviews, ignoring his detailed review of the published evidence of harms from these genetic products, and instead focusing on his opinions as to why so many in the medical profession are still so reluctant to face up to the reality of widespread vaccine injuries.”

They added: “Other allegations listed simply refer to the turn of phrase used in social media ‘retweets’. None of the allegations reflect any patient complaint nor any actual risk to patient safety.”

Dr Malhotra became controversial during the pandemic after questioning the risk-benefit balance of Covid vaccines and calling for further investigation into possible side effects.

In the letter, supporters say he originally recommended vaccination but changed his position after reviewing evidence and seeing patients with suspected complications.

“As you will be aware, he initially recommended Covid-19 vaccines but changed his view after seeing patient harms post-vaccination. Since then he has followed the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance to ‘Act promptly if you think that patient safety or dignity may be seriously compromised.’”

The signatories say the concerns he raised – including a link with the Covid jab and cardiovascular problems as well as reports of aggressive cancers – should not be treated as misconduct.

“As stated in our previous letters, from everything we have witnessed in our clinical practice or read in the published literature over the last five years, we believe that Dr Malhotra has acted highly responsibly, in line with his ethical duties as a doctor.”

They warn that disciplining him could discourage doctors from speaking out.

“Censuring Dr Malhotra would have a chilling effect on potential whistleblowers, which is highly detrimental to patient safety.”

The letter also argues many members of the public support doctors who question official policy. “Far from bringing the profession into disrepute, large sections of the public have expressed gratitude to Dr Malhotra and others for having the courage to speak out. This sort of transparency, even around adverse events, is vital for maintaining public trust in medical professionals.”

The signatories also criticise what they describe as inconsistent action by the regulator. “It appears that politically motivated cases are being brought against doctors expressing any concerns over covid vaccine policies. The GMC’s continued actions against doctors including erasure for speaking out about patient safety, is in stark contrast to some cases of serious sexual misconduct, where suspension or even just a warning have been applied. These dual standards with disproportionate actions for social media posting, risk bringing the GMC itself into disrepute.”

They conclude: “We urge you to drop all action against Dr Malhotra.”

The controversy intensified after he spoke at last year's Reform Party conference in Birmingham, where he discussed concerns raised about aggressive cancer patterns and mentioned cancer diagnoses in members of the Royal Family.

The remarks drew criticism from politicians and some doctors, prompting renewed calls for the GMC to investigate.

Supporters say the number of senior clinicians backing Dr Malhotra contrasts sharply with the small number of anonymous complainants believed to have triggered the case.

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