Retired consultant quizzed over sex allegations

The former Clifton Hospital consultant, from Crayke, near Easingwold, was taken to York police station yesterday morning and questioned before being released last night, pending further inquiries.

He has been bailed to return to the police station on November 11. The arrest is believed to follow a number of complaints from former patients.

Dr Haslam, 68, is one of two former North Yorkshire psychiatrists at the centre of an independent inquiry set up last year by Health Secretary Alan Milburn.

The inquiry will examine the way the NHS handled complaints against Dr Haslam and also another former Clifton Hospital consultant, William Kerr, who was placed on the sex offenders' register in 2000 after a jury decided at a crown court "hearing of fact" that he indecently assaulted a former patient.

Police investigated allegations of serious misconduct by Dr Haslam in the 1990s but found no evidence of criminal activity.

In 1999, he had his name removed from the medical register at his own request, saying he had reached 65 and had retired.

The Evening Press revealed last year how Dr Haslam had admitted having sex with a former patient, but claimed it was consensual. He denied claims by another former patient that he sexually attacked her, ensuring her compliance through excessive electro-convulsive therapy and also "carbon dioxide therapy" to cause loss of consciousness. He said there had not been any improper or indecent behaviour.

The admission and denials emerged in a High Court judgement relating to a libel case brought by Dr Haslam against the Sunday Times over an article suggesting that he had been accused of serial rapes. The libel case was adjourned and is still ongoing.

North Yorkshire police said today that a 68-year-old North Yorkshire man, arrested yesterday in connection with allegations of sexual assault, was released on police bail last night while inquiries continued.

Updated: 12:29 Friday, September 06, 2002