Sir,

John Peel writes eloquently and accurately about the reprehensible actions of the Medical Defence Union (MDU) when they reported Dr Caroline Deys to the GMC and thereby subjected her (a member of a rival medical defence body) to much stress and strain when working to clear her name.  The matter was the cause of many doctors switching from the MDU.  I was one and when I had completed 40 years as a practising doctor I was thereby ineligible for the normal life membership which both defence bodies at that time (the MDU has now withdrawn the privilege) gave of free life membership thereafter. I have never grudged Caroline Deys my extra expense.

The MDU continued its authoritarian actions when Ms Wendy Savage, a highly competent and popular gynaecologist at the London Hospital, was wrongly accused of incompetence by one of her colleagues because they advised her that her case was indefensible and that her only sensible action was to apologise; if she did not do so they would not pay for her defence.  Ms Savage defended herself and a fund was set up by her patients and others which undertook this financial burden.  When it was found that she had no case to answer the MDU was exposed as having given wrong advice and thereby forced to pay all her costs.  The, not inconsiderable, fund which had been raised was then devoted to charitable ends.

Peter Diggory