Letter To Liberal Democrat MPs who signed Parliamentary Early Day Motion 1240

from Dr. Lionel R Milgrom BSc, MSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC, LCH, MARH, MRHom.

9th February 2010

I have been a supporter of the Liberal Democrats since 1997 by voting for the party in all major elections since then. I am also a scientist and a homeopath. As such I have to tell you that I am so concerned by the activities of Dr Evan Harris MP, the LibDem spokesperson on science that I doubt whether I will be casting my vote for the party come this May. Here are my reasons, which I know are shared by many other homeopaths, practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, and their supporters.

 

As you know, Dr Harris was instrumental in bringing about and being a principal investigator in the Science and Technology Committee's Second Evidence Check on homeopathy. I have provided written evidence to the Committee which is on its website (see HO 4 in Written Submissions on the Science & Technology Committee website below)

One would imagine that a major function of such a Committee would be the careful and polite gathering of evidence from the expert witnesses asked to come before it, and the sober reflection on and considered weighing of that evidence to arrive at a set of balanced recommendations.  Dr Harris’s scandalous antics as a principal investigator at the hearings suggest that, in his case, nothing could be further from the truth.

 

Science & Technology Committee

Evidence Check on Homeopathy

WATCH HERE:

Oral submissions:  Wednesday 25th November 2009

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5221

Oral submissions:  Monday 30th November 2009

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5257

Written Submissions:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmsctech/memo/homeopathy/contents.htm

 

Dr Harris treated the hearings as a ribald piece of cheap theatre for the sole expression of his own biased views, effectively diverting the Science and Technology Committee from its original purpose (examination of the Government’s reasons for maintaining homeopathy on the NHS).  The recent impromptu speech made by Dr Harris to a publicity stunt gathering of so-called 'sceptics' in Red Lion Square, London (for their ridiculous mass 'overdose' of homeopathic remedies), exemplifies this perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYuLjl9bgIw

He entertained the crowd by quoting from the 25^th November session of the S&TC hearings and his questioning of Dr Peter Fisher of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (an institution which you supported by signing EDM 1240 in 2007). This demonstrates his total lack of impartiality, sobriety, and respect not only for Dr Fisher as a witness and a colleague, but by implication, he has also impugned the integrity of the approximately 400 other qualified medical practitioners in the UK who practise homeopathy. Dr Harris therefore is clearly in breach of Articles 46 and 47 of the GMC’s Guidelines for Good Medical Practice, and deserves censure by the GMC.

Article 46. You must treat your colleagues fairly and with respect. You must not bully or harass them, or unfairly discriminate against them by allowing your personal views to affect adversely your professional relationship with them. You should challenge colleagues if their behaviour does not comply with this guidance.

Article 47. You must not make malicious and unfounded criticisms of colleagues that may undermine patients' trust in the care or treatment they receive, or in the judgement of those treating them.

In addition, Dr Harris’s ignorance of the growing clinical and scientific evidence in support of homeopathy, coupled with his enormous bias makes one wonder why a) he was ever allowed to serve on such a committee, and b) why he is the LibDem spokesperson for science. Given the viciousness of Dr Harris's continued attacks on homeopathy, the apparent silence of you and your colleagues in the face of them, and his continuance as LibDem spokesperson for science, one can only assume he has the tacit support of your Party.

We hear much these days about 'freedom of speech' and Dr Harris might be considered free to do and say what he likes - as am I - as long is it does not break the law or breach the peace. Indeed, many including Dr Harris will no doubt interpret my writing to you as an attempt to stifle free speech.  But in serving as LibDem spokesperson on science and as a member of the Science and Technology Committee, one would imagine, perhaps naively, that personal opinions are sacrificed in order to maintain the highest standards of objectivity, probity, and impartiality.  From his current actions and statements which are now a matter of public record, Dr Harris has behaved unethically and is clearly failing in his public duty.  At the very least, he ought to be censured and this matter referred to the GMC.

If Dr Harris wishes to continue airing his biased views, then surely honour and common decency demands he resign or be expelled from the Committee (while apologising to Dr Fisher for publicly ridiculing him on the morning of 30th January in Red Lion Square, and his outrageously rude and biased questioning of him during the Committee's hearings), and be removed from his position as LibDem spokesperson on science.

Unfortunately, as the continuing scandal over MPs' expenses makes clear, we no longer live in such an 'ideal' world.  However I can still register a protest against Dr Harris.

Around 6 million people in the UK make use of homeopathy (which has been part of the NHS since its inception in 1948) and complementary and alternative medicine, and they cherish this freedom of therapeutic choice within the NHS.  Consequently, not only will I exercise my right not to vote for my constituency LibDem candidate (the otherwise excellent Ed Fordham) during the next General Election, but in the coming months will use my not inconsiderable influence within the homeopathic community to advise my many homeopathic colleagues and their networks of alternative medicine practitioners and patients to do the same.

Yours Sincerely

Dr Lionel R Milgrom BSc, MSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC, LCH, MARH, MRHom.

NHS HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITALS - 28.03.2007

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33006

That this House welcomes the positive contribution made to the health of the nation by the NHS homeopathic hospitals; notes that some six million people use complementary treatments each year; believes that complementary medicine has the potential to offer clinically-effective and cost-effective solutions to common health problems faced by NHS patients, including chronic difficult to treat conditions such as musculoskeletal and other chronic pain, eczema, depression, anxiety and insomnia, allergy, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome; expresses concern that NHS cuts are threatening the future of these hospitals; and calls on the Government actively to support these valuable national assets. Vis, Rudi

---

Quote this article on your site