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Philipp Bonhoeffer worked at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital until 2009
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A decision to allow hearsay evidence in disciplinary proceedings against a surgeon linked to child abuse claims was unlawful, the High Court has heard.
Philipp Bonhoeffer's barrister Kieran Coonan QC called for the decision by a General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practise panel to be overturned.
He said the ruling would violate the human right of the former Great Ormond Street Hospital doctor to a fair trial.
Professor Bonhoeffer, of Camden, north London, denies any wrongdoing.
The GMC alleges he is guilty of serious sexual misconduct and has temporarily suspended him from the medical register while the disciplinary panel considers his case.
The GMC wants to admit the evidence of a Kenyan witness, but does not want to bring him to London to testify because of the risk of him being harmed.
Its hearing was put on hold last November pending the outcome of the High Court legal challenge.
Mr Coonan said the allegations against "one of the world's leading paediatric cardiologists" were strongly denied.
He said: "Clearly the case is of the greatest importance and seriousness for all concerned, and may have significant consequences for the prosecution of future cases before the GMC."
Mr Coonan said the claims of sexual misconduct arose from Prof Bonhoeffer's work as a doctor in Kenya "and his association over a considerable period of time with a number of young males who are nationals of Kenya - some not so young now".
The professor "funded their education, their accommodation and living expenses", the court was told.
He said the evidence in the majority of charges against him came from "a single source", referred to as witness A, whom he had also given financial assistance.
The witness was not supported by any other witnesses and the funding ceased "at around the time the allegations were made", Mr Coonan said.
The GMC's arguments regarding its unwillingness to bring witness A to London to give evidence were seriously flawed, argued Mr Coonan.
The hearing continues.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Philipp Bonhoeffer worked at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital until 2009 Related Stories
A decision to allow hearsay evidence in disciplinary proceedings against a surgeon linked to child abuse claims was unlawful, the High Court has heard.
Philipp Bonhoeffer's barrister Kieran Coonan QC called for the decision by a General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practise panel to be overturned.
He said the ruling would violate the human right of the former Great Ormond Street Hospital doctor to a fair trial.
Professor Bonhoeffer, of Camden, north London, denies any wrongdoing.
The GMC alleges he is guilty of serious sexual misconduct and has temporarily suspended him from the medical register while the disciplinary panel considers his case.
The GMC wants to admit the evidence of a Kenyan witness, but does not want to bring him to London to testify because of the risk of him being harmed.
Its hearing was put on hold last November pending the outcome of the High Court legal challenge.
Mr Coonan said the allegations against "one of the world's leading paediatric cardiologists" were strongly denied.
He said: "Clearly the case is of the greatest importance and seriousness for all concerned, and may have significant consequences for the prosecution of future cases before the GMC."
Mr Coonan said the claims of sexual misconduct arose from Prof Bonhoeffer's work as a doctor in Kenya "and his association over a considerable period of time with a number of young males who are nationals of Kenya - some not so young now".
The professor "funded their education, their accommodation and living expenses", the court was told.
He said the evidence in the majority of charges against him came from "a single source", referred to as witness A, whom he had also given financial assistance.
The witness was not supported by any other witnesses and the funding ceased "at around the time the allegations were made", Mr Coonan said.
The GMC's arguments regarding its unwillingness to bring witness A to London to give evidence were seriously flawed, argued Mr Coonan.
The hearing continues.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
