I can't appeal - Oswestry sex case doctor

The Doctor struck off for having a relationship with a patient says he cannot afford to appeal the decision – despite continuing to deny the allegations against him.

Dr Simon Robinson says he wants to remain in Oswestry, where he was a GP for 15 years, and be able to walk through the town, with head held high.

Today he thanked all his former patients and others who had supported him throughout the General Medical Council hearing and more than 600 people who have signed a petition appealing to the GMC to reinstate him.

And he said, while he was devastated by the GMC's decision to strike him off, his wife and two young children were the most important things in his life.

The 44-year-old doctor was struck off the GMC register after a hearing at which the panel ruled he had had a 16-month affair with patient Jill Tudor.

Miss Tudor, who waived her anonymity in newspaper and television interviews, produced recordings of what she said were sex acts taking place in his surgery and at her home.

Dr Robinson said he had to respect the GMC's decision although he did not agree with the outcome or the extreme punishment.

"I will deny the allegations until the day I die," he said. "I am totally gobsmacked and utterly devastated by the decision.

"My wife and my children have always been the most important things in my life and, at the moment, I am going to be a stay-at-home Dad while we come to terms with what has happened.

"The only way I can appeal is through the House of Lords and, without selling our house, I do not have the finances to do that.

"All I can hope is that the petition and the strength of feeling will persuade the GMC to rethink its decision and its punishment and will lead to changes to prevent other doctors going through this."

By Sue Austin