Dr Mark Struthers, 53, still maintains that his action against his former employers at the Flitwick Practice in The Highlands, was necessary despite losing his claim of unfair dismissal.
In July, an employment tribunal heard that Dr Struthers was involved in an altercation with Dr Tailb Mearza who he claimed had earlier accused him of ‘practising bad medicine’ during a clinical governance meeting.
The court was told that Dr Struthers said ‘stuff it’ and walked out of the meeting.
An incident in the corridor – in view of patients – followed with Dr Struthers shouting and telling Dr Mearza that he had to attend a meeting to talk about the situation or else there would be trouble.
The ruling – sent to parties this week – says that Dr Struthers’ conduct was ‘aggressive and threatening.’ It mentions emails sent to Dr Mearza, including one calling him a ‘weasel and a wimp’ and stating: ‘If you want a silly misconduct trial then bring it on.’ It was also said that Dr Mearza had pressed his panic button because he claimed Dr Struthers was ‘angry and threatening both verbally and in his body movements’.
Dr Struthers was suspended from the practice where he had worked for six years as a result of his conduct and despite appealing, was dismissed for gross misconduct.
Employment Judge Solmons ruled that Dr Ling and Partners was reasonable to dismiss Dr Struthers from the surgery last April.
This week, Dr Struthers said: “The legal wheels of employment justice have turned very slowly, it has been a stressful 18 months.
“My claim has ultimately failed the legal test and I am naturally disappointed.
“I believe my action against the Flitwick Practise was a very necessary one in all the circumstances.
“Of course, it was not so much the winning but the taking part that really mattered and I have absolutely no regrets about giving the doctors and their business manager a run for their money.
“A minor altercation with a medical colleague had been absurdly exaggerated."
