Rodney Ledward had been struck off for bungling operations
|
Dozens of women who claim that rogue surgeon Rodney Ledward sexually assaulted them have been forced to halt their bid for damages.
The legal aid money they need to proceed with the case has been taken away from them on the eve of a High Court hearing.
In total, 42 women say they were assaulted, and in some cases raped, by Rodney Ledward while in his care from the early 1980s.
They are suing the Kent and Medway Health Authority and East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust which employed the notorious surgeon - who died in 2000.
Ledward was branded a "butcher" in 1998 after the General Medical Council found that he botched a series of operations and performed unnecessary procedures on other patients, striking him off the medical register.
The sexual allegations came to light following publicity surrounding the GMC case.
No support
Eight lead cases which involve claims of between �100,000 and �600,000 were due to be heard on 12 January, and the hearing was expected to last for six weeks.
Reports suggest that solicitors had hoped for approximately �750,000 in legal aid to support the case, but the Legal Services Comission has decided to withdraw its support for the case against both health authority and NHS trust.
A spokesman said that a number of factors were important in deciding whether any case qualified for legal aid.
A spokesman for the commission said: "We appreciate that our decision to withdraw funding will come as a great disappointment to the women involved.
"We sympathise with their situation: sexual abuse is an appalling crime.
"Legal aid is granted to claimants assessed on their financial means and on the strength of the case. Each case is looked at separately.
"Cases are regularly reviewed and, at present, it is felt that this case no longer meets our assessment criteria."
He said that the women could appeal against the decision to an independent tribunal.
Threat
The alleged incidents happened at William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone, Buckland Hospital in Dover and Deal Hospital between 1980 and Ledward's suspension from practice in 1996.
The women insist that bosses at the hospital should have recognised Ledward as a threat and stopped him from working there.
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
We appreciate that our decision to withdraw funding will come as a great disappointment to the women involved.
