A doctor accused of abusing six women patients at

A doctor accused of abusing six women patients at his surgery today (Tues) told how he stared directly into their eyes during internal examinations.

GP Mohamed Haikel, 56, said he always made sure he had eye contact during the probes, and confirmed they could last for up to a minute.

But he insisted he only looked at the women to make sure they were comfortable during the examinations.

And when asked why he had not known some of the women were upset, Dr Haikel replied: ‘I am not a mind-reader.

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The GMC has heard the GP deliberately lingered during the examinations.

It is also claimed he pulled one patient’s breast out of her bra and groped her during a chest examination, before pressing his private parts against her leg.

And two of the women said he appeared to be flustered and breathing heavily after the consultations at the Andover Medical Centre, Hornsey Road, Hornsey, north London.

It is alleged Dr Haikel performed the unnecessary examinations for sexual kicks when the women visited him for minor pains in the legs, back or stomach.

But giving evidence today (Tues) he said that where internal examinations were performed it was absolutely necessary.

In other cases the patients were simply lying, he claimed.

Dr Haikel told the committee: ‘In most of these cases there was no need to carry out a vaginal examination.

‘Many of the women did not have such examinations at all.

‘These are absolute lies.

When I did carry it out, it is untrue to say they could last as long as eight minutes.

‘It only took one minute.

During vaginal examinations I maintain eye contact with the patient looking for a sign.

‘If they feel uncomfortable I would cease it.

‘Maybe they would be shy a bit and not relaxed so I would think it better to stop.

‘I have eye-to-eye contact with the patient while I am examining them.

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The committee has heard that one woman claims Dr Haikel examined her private parts 50 times in four years.

But he rubbished her claims, saying it made no sense for her to keep returning if she was so distressed about the probes.

Dr Haikel told the committee: ‘Either she is telling lies, or I don’t know why she said this.

‘The only thing I am surprised at is if she felt uncomfortable from the first examination or that it was not necessary most patients would point it out or I would spot it.

‘I am not able to read their minds.

I don’t know why she did not just come and talk to me.

‘Why did she keep coming back so many times feeling uncomfortable and wanting to cry?

‘Why didn’t she just tell me at the next appointment that she did not feel happy with the last consultation.

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Asked by his counsel Andrew Hockton why some patients claimed he was breathing heavily, Dr Haikel replied: ‘I don’t know.

I do not have any nasal problems and I do not breathe heavily.

‘I do not know what they are trying to imply by that.

It never took place.

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Dr Haikel, of Greenfield Gardens, Cricklewood, denies serious professional misconduct.

The hearing continues.

ends