Professor accused of threatening staff

A consultant physician who blew the whistle on alleged attempts by his NHS trust's head of research to cover up blunders in a clinical trial told the General Medical Council in London last week that he was “very worried” about his position at the time and even more worried about the research registrar who shared his concerns.

Dr Neil Barnes, consultant chest physician at the Royal Hospitals NHS Trust in London, told the professional conduct committee that his position as a consultant at the hospital would have become untenable if his complaints against Professor Robert Davies were seen to be vexatious or if he were seen to be a trouble maker.

Professor Davies was the trust's head …