GP's suspension extended for a year over protests

A retired GP who took part in animal cruelty and climate change protests has had the suspension of her medical licence extended by 12 months.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) reviewed the fitness to practise of Dr Sarah Benn, whose current suspension was due to end on 20 June after an animal rights demonstration. She was previously suspended for Just Stop Oil activism.

Benn, who has since retired, was first suspended at a tribunal in 2024, after she was jailed for taking part in climate protests in Warwickshire in 2022, in breach of a court order.

The tribunal concluded that "Dr Benn's fitness to practise remains impaired by reason of misconduct and her conviction."

A 12-month suspension was imposed on Benn's registration and a review hearing is set to take place before the end of that time, the tribunal concluded.

In Friday's hearing, Zoe Dawson, counsel for the General Medical Council (GMC) submitted that "having regard to the lack of progress since the 2025 tribunal, this tribunal may be of the view that there is very limited new evidence before it that might assist with an assessment of the risk to public protection."

Benn submitted a written response and did not attend the hearing.

"I will state that having had years to reflect on my actions, my position is unchanged. Nor will it change," she wrote.

"The GMC will interpret this as a lack of insight, which alongside my failure to express regret and undertake remediation, justifies a further period of suspension.

"If you agree with this conclusion, then so be it. I do not intend paying any further GMC subscription fee when it falls due in July, and so this process can be drawn to a close then, if not before."

In it's deliberations, the tribunal further determined that Benn's actions "gives rise to an ongoing risk to public confidence in the profession and to proper professional standards."

Papers documented how Benn surrendered her license in 2022, but remained on the medical register after spending 32 years in clinical practice.

She took part in climate change peaceful protests in 2022 at Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire, alongside environmental group, Just Stop Oil.

She was jailed on two separate occasions over the demonstrations.

In February 2023, Dr Benn was arrested for criminal damage after she chalk-sprayed gates and a wall at a firm in Ledbury which was involved in animal testing.

Tribunal papers said Dr Benn pleaded guilty to criminal damage before magistrates in September 2023, but appealed against the sentence at Worcester Crown Court.

In April 2024, the crown court allowed the appeal and sentenced Dr Benn to a community order for 12 months with a requirement not to enter the firm or go near it, and placed restrictions on her access to spray paint.

Court papers concluded that "Dr Benn understands that her actions are unlawful but feels able to justify her behaviour due to her confidence in the justness of her cause.

"However, this is not a position that a professional person can properly adopt and is contrary to GMP."

Benn previously commented that she believed the suspension to her medical license to be "excessive and disproportionate".

GMC chief executive Charlie Massey said doctors had a right to express opinions on "important issues like climate change".

But he added that the public had "a high degree of trust in doctors, and that trust can be put at risk when doctors fail to comply with the law".

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.