UK: Muslim doctor suspended after Piers Morgan appearance – NHS rehires him

A British doctor who was suspended by the NHS London after appearing on Piers Morgan’s talk TV show has been reinstated, his lawyers said on Monday.

Dr. Wahid Shaida was chairman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK until the organisation was banned by the British government in January.

Shaida appeared on Piers Morgan uncensored last year following the October 7 attack by Hamas-led militants in southern Israel that killed at least 1,149 people and captured 250 people, including soldiers and civilians.

In a heated exchange, Morgan and Shaida debated Islamic law and the justifications for the attacks.

In a statement in January, NHS London said: “We can confirm that Dr Wahid Shaida has been suspended from the NHS primary care provider list.”

This announcement was then shared by Morgan on the social media platform X.

On Monday, Shaida’s lawyers at Rahman Lowe said: “Dr Shaida never concealed his political affiliation but ensured as best he could that it was entirely independent of his professional role as a doctor and general practitioner. At no time did he act in secret.”

BREAKING NEWS: NHS doctor@AbdulWahid_Xwho heads the UK branch of the recently banned terrorist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, has been suspended. Statement from the London NHS: “We can confirm that Dr Wahid Shaida has been suspended from the NHS primary care provider list.” pic.twitter.com/KsBBmumUle

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 23, 2024

His legal team stated that Shaida should not be punished because of his religious and philosophical beliefs.

“The views expressed during his interview on Talk TV were in line with his fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights,” said Rahman Lowe.

A panel of the British NHS concluded that there was “insufficient evidence” to justify Shaida’s suspension.

Middle East Eye has contacted NHS London for comment.