FORMER patients of disgraced psychiatrist William Kerr today demonstrated outside the Court of Appeal in London as he launched a bid to clear his name.

The York consultant, from Alne, near Easingwold, was found to have indecently assaulted a former woman patient by a jury in December.

A previous jury decided that he was unfit to plead through mental impairment, so he did not receive a criminal conviction and did not serve any punishment. Today, Dr Kerr's lawyers were due to claim that December's hearing should never have gone ahead because of this impairment, and that the fact it did was an abuse of his human rights.

His solicitor, Richard Manning, has previously said that if their case failed, it would be taken to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Former patient, Kathy Haq, joined a group of five other patients from around North Yorkshire who travelled to London today to join a group of around 25 protesters.

She said the group planned to demonstrate outside the court, waving banners in protest, before going in to observe the hearing.

Dr Kerr was suspended by the General Medical Council in April for 18 months and the Health Secretary, Alan Milburn, announced earlier this month that there would be an investigation into the way complaints were handled against Dr Kerr, and fellow Clifton Hospital psychiatrist, Dr Michael Haslam.

Kathy said the investigation, which will be chaired by Dame Fiona Caldicott, former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, was now the main focus for the support group.

"Whatever the outcome today, our main aim now is to make sure the inquiry gets all the information we're getting and that it publicises exactly what did go on."

Updated: 16:34 Wednesday, July 25, 2001