大象传媒

An NHS doctor has been cleared of performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on a young mother.

A jury acquitted Dr Dharmasena after less than half an hour of deliberations.

Alison Saunders, the director of Public Prosecutions, told Today: "This case was reviewed very thoroughly by the Crown Prosecution Service and we decided that there was sufficient evidence to put it before the court".

"Our test is about whether there's sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect. A jury's test is can they be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt, which is a much higher test".

"We know that FGM is an incredibly difficult crime for females to come forward and make a complaint".