Tribunal rules climate protest GP’s fitness to practise remains impaired

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has ruled that retired GP Dr Sarah Benn’s fitness to practise remains impaired, citing a pattern of misconduct and a recent criminal conviction tied to her activism.

Dr Benn was first suspended in April 2024 after multiple breaches of a court order during climate change protests at a Warwickshire oil terminal in 2022. She was referred to a second MPTS hearing after taking part in an animal rights protest in February 2023, which involved chalk spray damage to Sequani Ltd, a company involved in animal testing. She pleaded guilty to criminal damage and received a 12-month community order and was ordered to pay £125 in compensation.

In her submissions, Dr Benn maintained that:

• The protest was non-violent and the damage trivial.
• Her actions posed no risk to others nor did they compromise her ability to practise.
• The protest was motivated by conscience, not personal gain.
• She has since given an undertaking not to repeat such actions.

She also expressed uncertainty over whether the conviction warranted a finding of impairment.

The tribunal found:

• There is a continuing risk of repetition, making a finding of impairment necessary in the public interest.
• Dr Benn had demonstrated a pattern of unlawful behaviour, suggesting she believes she can choose which laws to follow.
• Her actions fall significantly outside the norms of the profession, despite her motivations.
• Support from segments of the public did not outweigh the profession’s responsibility to uphold legal and ethical standards.
• Although she had used lawful protest methods, her choice to break the law undermines public confidence and professional integrity.

The tribunal concluded that Dr Benn’s fitness to practise remains impaired due to both the original misconduct and her recent conviction. A decision on potential sanctions is expected when the hearing reconvenes on 17 June 2025.

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