A former honorary surgeon to the Queen has publicly backed Professor Zygmunt Krukowski following his “outrageous” suspension from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Colonel Michael Stewart said Professor Krukowski was the “most professional and remarkable surgeon” he had met during his long career, much of it spent in conflict zones overseas.
Mr Stewart, who was made a CBE in 2010 and honorary Queen’s surgeon in 2004, worked as a consultant advisor in trauma and orthopaedics to the British Army and is currently employed by the NHS at a trust in the north of England.
The senior medic, who was given the royal honour in light of his military work, was first trained by Professor Krukowski at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 1979.
Professor Krukowski is the Queen’s Surgeon in Scotland and is responsible for the medical care of the monarch while she is at Balmoral Castle.
Mr Stewart is the latest high ranking medical figure to speak publicly in support of Professor Krukowski, who was suspended along with his colleague, consultant Dr Wendy Craig following, a disciplinary review.
NHS chiefs acted after an internal review examined claims of bullying and harassment against the pair, who have been referred to the General Medical Council following allegations surrounding their professional conduct.
Mr Stewart, who stepped down from his honorary surgeon role when he retired from the army in 2012, said: “Zyg Krukowski is a master sugeon and master teacher.
“He is the most professional and remarkable surgeon I have had the pleasure of working with in a long career across many continents; a man of high principle and integrity; an unselfsish, dutiful surgeon who would never step away from striving for the very best for his patients, and the highest standards of surgical practice from his trainees and colleagues.
“This is an outrageous act, that does harm to a good man, his family, his patients, the reputation of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“Professor Krukowski should be reinstated immediately pending review of the parlous state of management at ARI.”
NHS Grampian will not comment on individual cases.
Supporters maintain that the two medics have been the victim of a witchunt by NHS Grampian chiefs, who have taken “revenge” on whistleblowers who have raised concerns about management at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Lewis Macdonald MSP (Labour) earlier this week called for full publication of a Royal College of Surgeons RCS) England review of the general surgery department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where Professor Krukowski and Dr Craig are employed.
He said it was important that the public were given facts, not misinformation, surrounding the case.
RCS England was called in by NHS Grampian chiefs to review the work and professional conduct of surgeons after senior medics raised concerns about standards at the flagship hospital with the Scottish Government.
A separate Healthcare Improvement Scotland review found serious issues with leadership at the hospital, with the behaviour of a minority of medics also condemned.
The intervention of Mr Stewart – who is among 1,400 signatories of a petition calling for the medics to get back to work – came as 21 medical professionals sent a letter to Health Secretary Shona Robison calling for a judge-led inquiry into the management of the health board.
Meanwhile, The Queen’s spokeswoman in Scotland said they were “content that appropriate medical provisions are in place” following the suspension of the Queen’s Surgeon.