'Dishonest' Lancashire doctor Richard Freeman permanently struck off medical register

The sanction came a day after a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled Freeman's fitness to practise was "impaired by reason of his misconduct".

Dr Freeman - who is from the Ribble Valley - admitted or was found guilty of 21 of 22 charges relating to the ordering of testosterone to British Cycling headquarters in 2011, as well as poor record-keeping and inappropriate treatment of non-riders.

The central charge, which Dr Freeman denied, was that he ordered the Testogel "knowing or believing" it was to be given to a rider for doping purposes.

The tribunal dismissed Dr Freeman's defence and said on Thursday: "In all the circumstances, the tribunal determined that Dr Freeman's actions would be considered as deplorable by members of the public and fellow practitioners.

"The tribunal considered that Dr Freeman's conduct surrounding the order of the Testogel amounted to a long and considered pattern of very serious dishonesty."

On its decision regarding sanctions, it said it considered Dr Freeman's behaviour as "fundamentally incompatible with continued registration".

It said: "The tribunal has therefore determined that erasure is the only sufficient sanction which would protect patients, maintain public confidence in the profession and send a clear message to Dr Freeman, the profession and the public that his misconduct constituted behaviour unbefitting and incompatible with that of a registered doctor.

"The tribunal therefore determined that Dr Freeman's name be erased from the medical register."

Dr Freeman, who works at the Great Harwood Medical Centre, is currently working as a GP as part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The tribunal will now decide whether to impose the sanction immediately or allow him to continue working during a 28-day period in which he has the right to appeal.

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