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A Londonderry GP has lost an appeal against her initial suspension for comments about the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Dr Anne McCloskey was suspended by an independent medical tribunal in 2021.

It followed controversial remarks she made about children taking Covid-19 vaccines.

A final six-month suspension followed on 24 October 2023 after the tribunal ruled she had used her position to undermine the public health message.

Dr McCloskey, 66, from Chapel Road, did not attend the Court of Appeal in Belfast for the ruling on Friday.

She had argued that the judges should not hear the case as they are members of the Privy Council, an advisory body to the King.

They also dismissed that argument on Friday.

Delivering the judgment, Mr Justice McCloskey said the court did not question the sincerity of Dr McCloskey's beliefs or her 40-year unblemished record as a doctor.

'Misconduct'

Dr McCloskey is currently unable to practise as a GP after her licence was suspended.

The six-month final suspension was imposed on 24 October by a medical tribunal which investigated comments she had made about the Covid-19 vaccination.

In August 2021, Dr McCloskey expressed concerns in a social media video about young people taking Covid jabs.

Her claims included that young people were being coerced, bullied, bribed and cajoled into receiving the vaccine.

The tribunal, sitting in Manchester, found that her actions had fallen below standards expected of a doctor and that this amounted to misconduct.

In a separate case, which has not been heard yet, she and three others are accused of breaching Covid-19 restrictions on 20 March 2021.