When Samantha Cameron gave birth to her daughter Florence in 2010 she and PM husband David would quite rightly have expected the doctor who delivered their child to be amongst the best in his field.
But unbeknown to the couple, gynaecologist Rob Jones had been nicknamed ''the Butcher'' by nurses and other colleagues who in turn warned NHS bosses he posed a risk to patients.
Jones had been the subject of a string of complaints over many years but it is claimed his boss Dr Paul Upton did not investigate them properly - and allowed to him carry on working instead.
In August 2010 - just eight months after a premature baby he delivered died due to pre-eclampsia - Jones, then 62, was called upon to treat Samantha who went into labour with fourth child Florence whilst on a family holiday in Cornwall with her husband.
She was rushed to Treliske Hospital, Truro, where she had an emergency caesarean but it resulted in the successful birth of Florence weighing 6lbs 1oz. Jones was still working at the hospital the following year when Mr and Mrs Cameron returned to thank staff for the little girl's delivery, with the PM introducing Florence to Jones as 'the man who pulled you out of mummy’s tummy'.
Upton, 55, who was medical director of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust at the time of Florence's birth now faces a string of misconduct allegations accusing him of failing to protect patients from ''risk of harm'' posed by Jones between January 2010 and October 2011.
It is claimed he failed to get a report about complaints relating to Jones and also failed to obtain a report about legal actions being taken against the gynaecologist. He is further accused of failing to arrange meetings with colleagues who had raised concerns about Jones and also of failing to restrict Jones from clinical practise.
Other charges include him allegedly making misleading statements to TV and radio reporters in which he claimed he did not have enough evidence against the obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Jones who worked at the hospital since 1997 was eventually suspended in May 2012 and retired the following October after it emerged he continued to practice despite eight reviews into his work over a 12 year period.
It is now thought 204 women treated by Jones have joined a group taking legal action against the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust with lawyers claiming up to 1,000 women may be entitled to damages. At least three law firms are working on cases with nurses claiming he was called ''the butcher'' due to his concerns over his competency. The trust has already said it "apologised unreservedly" to its patients.
Cavendish Press coverage of Upton's hearing at Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester featured in the Daily Mail, Daily Express and The Times. If you have a story please contact us on 0161 237 1066 or email [email protected].