Secrecy is the last refuge of a scoundrel - the ongoing saga of Lisa Blakemore Brown

I have already posted about the victimization of Lisa Blakemore Brown by the British Psychological Society. Since then the case has been discussed by many concerned bloggers, and commentators on those blogs (See for example here here here here here here here).

My correspondence with the British Psychological Society asking to attend her hearing (the first day of this repeated hearing is today) is below. It stands for itself. I understand that several other concerned doctors and colleagues had similar responses. With apologies to Samuel Johnson.

From: Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke (British Psychological Society)
Subject: Re:Ms Blakemore-Brown
Sent: Fri 26/01/2007 01:36

Dear Ms O'Roarke,

I would like to attend the hearings involving Ms Blakemore Brown. Assuming that Ms Blakemore Brown herself would not have any objections, please let me know whether that would be possible.

Pending your answer I will ask her permission.

Yours Sincerely
Dr Aubrey Blumsohn

From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: "Aubrey Blumsohn"
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:01:31 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

If Ms Blakemore-Brown wishes to make an application for you to attend the hearing, she can apply to the Chair of the Hearing. The Chair would then decide whether to allow that application.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer


From: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Sent: Fri 26/01/2007 12:00

Thank you Ms O'Rourke.

It must however surely be the case that the hearings are either secret or they are not. I understand that FTP procedures may sometimes be subject to some element of secrecy, but the only legitimate reason for this is to protect the interests of the respondent.

I wish to discover the status of these proceedings.

1) Upon what basis will the Chair make such a decision (presuming that Ms Blakemore Brown does not object?).

2) Since I am not acting on behalf of Ms Blakemore Brown it is not clear to me why she should "make an application for you [me] to attend the hearing" any more than you yourself should make such application.

Yours Sincerely

Dr Aubrey Blumsohn

From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
Subject: RE: Ms
Blakemore-Brown
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:20:03 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

The hearings are private to protect Ms Blakemore-Brown's privacy. If she wishes you to attend she can ask the Chair to admit you - ie make an application. That application can of course be made by her legal representative if she instructs her to do so.

The Chair will, I assume, make such a decision based on the interests of Ms Blakemore-Brown primarily, but also the interests of the public and the overriding principle of ensuring a fair hearing of the matter. He will take legal advice from the Committee's legal assessor before making a decision. That legal advice will be shared by Ms Blakemore-Brown.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer


From: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Sent: Fri 26/01/2007 15:55

Thank you. I do now have such permission. Can you notify me as a matter of urgency (today) as to whether I can attend - I will need to make travel plans.

If the answer is no I would appreciate knowing the reasons for this and a copy of the relevant procedures.

Kind wishes

Dr Aubrey Blumsohn


From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:07:46 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

As I explained in my previous e mails, your application would need to be considered by the Chair, with confirmation from Ms Blakemore-Brown in writing that she wishes you to attend.

The Chair is currently out of the country and I do not believe he is due to return until Monday.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer

From: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Sent: Fri 26/01/2007 16:42

Dear Ms O'Rourke

You state:

"As I explained in my previous e mails, your application would need to be considered by the Chair, with confirmation from Ms Blakemore-Brown in writing that she wishes you to attend.".

The words "in writing" do not in fact appear previously. I note your statement that the Chair is out of the country.

I would nevertheless appreciate a copy of your documentation with relevance to secrecy of proceedings (under circumstances where a respondent does not wish such secrecy) and the need to ask the Chair and legal assessor. I would imagine this would be a public document. If helpful, please regard this as a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Kind wishes

Dr Aubrey Blumsohn

From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: Dr Aubrey Blumsohn
Subject: RE: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:57:56 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

I apologise that my previous e mails did not make it clear that any consent from Ms Blakemore-Brown would need to be evidenced in some way. I believed it to be self-evident.

The Society's procedures are set out in the Society's Statutes 14 and 15. These can be found on the Society's website.

The Society is not a body covered by the Freedom of Information Act.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer

From: Lisa Blakemore Brown
To: Christine.ORourke@bps.org.uk,
Subject: Re: Ms Blakemore-Brown
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 10:31:27 -0500

Dear Ms O'Rourke

I have no objections to Dr Blumsohn attending the Hearing. I have nothing to hide.

Sincerely

Lisa Blakemore-Brown

From: Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke
Subject: Re:Ms Blakemore-Brown
Sent: 29 January 2007 02:42

Dear Ms O'Rourke

please send specific reference to your procedure pertaining to the requirement to avoid transparency.

I understand that Ms Blakemore Brown has sent an E-mail to you denoting her non-objection.

Kind wishes

Aubrey Blumsohn


From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: "Aubrey Blumsohn"
Subject: RE: Lisa Blakemore Brown
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:50:30 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

I have now heard from the Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee that he has refused your application to attend the hearing. Ms Blakemore-Brown and her legal representative have been informed of this decision.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer

From: Aubrey Blumsohn
To: Christine O'Rourke
Subject: Re:Lisa Blakemore Brown
Sent: 29 January 2007 14:06

Dear Christine,

With similar respect, I ask that at the very least you provide a reason for such refusal given that Ms Blakemore Brown wishes transparency (and has specifically expressed non-opposition to attendance).

Regards

Aubrey Blumsohn

From: "Christine O'Rourke"
To: "Aubrey Blumsohn"
Subject: RE: Lisa Blakemore Brown
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:12:40 -0000

Dear Dr Blumsohn

I am sorry but the Chair has not authorised me to give you a reason.

I am sorry that I am not able to be of more help.

Yours sincerely

Christine O'Rourke
Professional Conduct Officer

Earlier|Later|Main Page