New powers to suspend doctors raise fears of witch hunt against pro-Palestine medics

New powers to suspend doctors raise fears of witch hunt against pro-Palestine medics Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Tue, 03/24/2026 - 15:26 Proposed reforms would allow regulators to override tribunal decisions as doctors report pressure over pro-Palestine views The GMC has faced criticism for lodging an appeal against Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah after a medical tribunal ruled in favour of the Palestinian surgeon (AFP) Off New rules could mean it will be easier for Britain's medical regulators to suspend and strike off doctors accused of anti-semitism and racism for their pro- Palestine views. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting agreed on Tuesday to the biggest overhaul of Britain’s medical regulators in 40 years by proposing to give them sweeping new powers to suspend doctors more quickly. Under the proposed legislative changes, the General Medical Council (GMC), which governs doctors, and the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), which oversees Britain’s medical regulators, will gain new powers to override decisions made by independent Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panels - bodies that previously acted as a check on regulatory overreach.